Calif. tests first fully autonomous shuttle on state roads (Roads & Bridges)

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and GoMentum Station have announced that permission was granted and testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads will begin at Bishop Ranch, the largest mixed-use business community in Northern California, located in the city of San Ramon. This is the first time the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has allowed a shared autonomous vehicle to travel on public roads in the state.

CCTA is leading a pilot demonstration project testing electric, low-speed, multi-passenger autonomous vehicles manufactured by Easymile, that are not equipped with a steering wheel, brake pedal, or accelerator. The California State Legislature passed legislation in 2016, Assembly Bill 1592, to allow for the pilot program. After successful testing at the GoMentum Station autonomous vehicle proving grounds in Concord, and in parking lots at Bishop Ranch, CCTA is advancing to the third phase of testing. CCTA received permission from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in October 2017 and permission from the California DMV in January 2018, to operate the EasyMile shuttle on public streets within the business park.

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