WATCH: LAVTA Testing Self-Driving Car On Public Roads

TRI-VALLEY, CA — The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority will be testing its autonomous, or self-driving, vehicle this summer on public roads near the Dublin/Pleasanton Bay Area Rapid Transit station.

The electric vehicle can go no faster than 13 mph and will operate a mile-long route past two stops and a traffic light, LAVTA said in a news release. A safety operator from Transdev — the transportation company working with LAVTA on this project — will be onboard to supervise the route.

The vehicle is eventually intended to transport people from the BART station to nearby locations, LAVTA said. LAVTA hopes it will be ready by late August to start its 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. service. Social distancing and cleaning protocols will be in place.

The vehicle relies on GPS, cameras and sensors. It comes with an access ramp, LAVTA said.

The project was funded thanks to a grant from Bay Area Air Quality Management District, secured by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, LAVTA said.

See a video of the vehicle in action below: