Driverless Shuttle Starts Passenger Service At Mosaic District

MERRIFIELD, VA — A driverless electric shuttle between the Mosaic District and Dunn Loring Metro opened for passenger service Thursday.

The shuttle, named Relay, is Virginia's first publicly funded autonomous electric shuttle pilot program and test of driverless technology in public transportation. The pilot program is being tested as a public-private partnership between Fairfax County, Dominion Energy, Mosaic District developer EDENS, Virginia Departments of Transportation and Rail and Public Transportation, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and George Mason University.

Relay is a fully autonomous vehicle with software programmed to follow a prerecorded route. Although it features cameras, sensors and GPS to navigate, the shuttle has a safety steward on board at all times.

Free rides are available every 15 to 20 minutes Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shuttle operates at up to 10 mph, and the trip between the Mosaic District and Dunn Loring Metro takes about 15 minutes. The stops are outside the Barnes & Noble store at the Mosaic District and Bus Bay A at the Dunn Loring Metro.

Before opening for passenger service, Relay underwent extensive testing by VDOT, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Fairfax County Department of Transportation, and Transdev. Dominion Energy supplied the autonomous electric vehicle, which is manufactured by EasyMile under model name EZ10. The model has a full set of sensors, including Lidars, odometry, cameras, and GPS for safety purposes.

Through the pilot program, Fairfax County and Dominion Energy are exploring how to deploy autonomous electric technology as part of a large public transportation system. The pilot program is funded through a $200,000 Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation grant and $50,000 local match from Fairfax County.

Officials were on hand Sunday to celebrate the launch of passenger service and take the first rides.

"We in Fairfax County can be leaders in this country in the way of innovation, in the way of forward thinking, in the way of growing our economy and doing it in a way that also protects, and helps, enhance our environment provides safe options for people to use transportation and indeed provide transportation for people who otherwise may not have a way to get around," Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay in remarks.

The Mosaic District was chosen for the pilot program because of the developer's interest in testing new technologies and the location's proximity to Metro. Congressman Gerry Connolly, (D-VA) played a key role into the Mosaic District becoming a reality during his previous role on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. On Thursday, he praised Fairfax County officials for "leading the way" with the autonomous electric shuttle technology.

"This is the future. Marrying innovation and technology to transform a whole sector: transportation," said Connolly in remarks. "This is what trucking is going to look like in our future and a lot of public transportation, and it's [going to] make it easier to transport goods and people all over America."

Mark Webb, Dominion Energy's chief innovation officer, explained that Relay addresses a number of problems, including extending public transportation.

"One of the challenges of getting people to use public transportation is the walk from the transit stop to their destination," said Webb. "Most people don't want to walk more than half a mile especially in the rain or a humid Virginia summer. Relay extends the reach of Metro transit without costing billions of dollars in new infrastructure. Shifting to transit is also good for the environment that cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions by getting more people onto public transit and getting more cars off the road."

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the shuttle is limited to three passengers and the safety steward. Face coverings are required to ride. Wheelchairs and scooter users can use a ramp, and there are safety restraints provided in the shuttle.

George Mason University is helping to gather public feedback on autonomous electric technology. Residents can take an online survey and find more information about the Relay shuttle on the pilot program website.