Metro Magazine, September 2020

16 TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDINGS FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ENERGY SERVICES Reaching the century mark isnt easy you have to be quality driven client focused and have a vision for the future At 100 years STV is looking ahead Our planners architects engineers and program construction managers have a stake in the business and are committed to quality performance We provide personal attention and timely solutions with an eye toward sustainability And with more than 40 o ces we are a local rm with national resources When it comes to getting your project delivered right choose the rm that has the drive and vision to be the best Enduring Driven Visionary Offices nationwide Toll free 877 395 5459 info@ stvinc com www stvinc com tomated driving technology into the new buses The buses will operate through a technology called Lidar which measures distances and determines through wavelengths of light what the digital representation of the object is that is sensed Lidar uses light waves while radar uses soundwaves I wouldnt say the process of integrating the kits onto our buses has been easy but because we have had an existing partnership and Robotic Research has a history of developing this technology in other industries including for the military we didnt have to reinvent the wheel so to speak for their technology to fit well with ours says Warren about the process New Flyer will also supply the charging infrastructure for the battery electric buses through its New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions brand Funding for the project is in part through the Federal Transit Administrations FTA Integrated Mobility Innovation IMI program and the Low or No Emission Bus Program The IMI program funds projects that demonstrate innovative and effective practices partnerships and emerging technologies to enhance public transportation effectiveness increase efficiency expand quality promote safety and improve the traveler experience We have been looking at testing automated buses on our guideway for some time so as we developed this project the FTA has been and continues to be a great partner says Solensky In addition to the METRO MAGAZINE COM SEPTEMBER 2020 TECHNOLOGY AUTONOMOUS BUSES AUTOMATION DETAILS Autodocking at CTfastrak stations will eliminate human error that can sometimes cause wide gaps between the bus and the platform The demonstration of platooning capabilities to maintain more efficient headways between buses Buses will utilize Society of Automotive Engineers Level 4 technology The automated buses will always operate with an on board safety attendant at the operators controls to ensure the safety of passengers during the pilot program The buses will operate through Lidar Lidar measures distances and senses objects through wavelengths of light BENEFITS Increased accessibility to disabled passengers and increased compliance with ADA level boarding requirements Improved safety to passengers Improved efficiency and overall customer experience Zero emission buses will improve the air quality along the busways corridor Reduced headway due to platooning will allow for efficiency improvement of overall CTfastrak system Platooning can eliminate the need for larger 60 foot buses on the corridors busiest routes