Philadelphia is stepping into the future with its first self-driving shuttle service, which began operations Tuesday at the Navy Yard, serving as a modern transport alternative for visitors and workers at the South Philly business hub. The shuttle, an autonomous, nine-seat, electric-powered van operates a four-stop loop, courtesy of a partnership between Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), Perrone Robotics, Drexel University, and PennDOT, as reported by WHYY.
The service, spearheaded by the Perrone Robotics' TONY (To Navigate You) technology, is not only a leap into autonomous travel but also champions the eco-friendly movement with its zero-emission status; the vehicle, a retrofitted 2023 Ford e-Transit van, brandishes ADA accessibility it includes seating for nine passengers, space for a wheelchair, and a ramp accessible from a standard roadside curb, the service runs weekdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. making the trek easier for individuals with mobility challenges, according to PhillyVoice.
Safety remains a top priority for the pilot program as a human operator will stay behind the wheel, ready to override the autonomous features if necessary, the shuttle's presence is a result of a $350,000 grant awarded by the DVRPC through its Travel Options Program which reflects a commitment to innovative transport solutions that align with environmental sensibilities, details 6abc.
Initially encompassing four stops within the business district, locations include Rouse Boulevard and Intrepid Avenue at the Courtyard by Marriott; Broad Street and Crescent Drive at Gatehouse; 15th Street and Kitty Hawk Avenue at DiNic's Pork & Beef and 15th Street and Flagship Avenue at the URBN campus and shop, 543 the next phase of the project ambitiously aims to extend the route down Broad Street to NRG Station before looping back, expanding the reach and utility of the shuttle in this burgeoning area of development, as WHYY includes in their coverage.
