Self-driving vehicles could soon hit the streets of Rochester
The start of a new decade has Rochester looking to the future.
On Monday, the Rochester City Council will be asked to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Mayo Clinic and Destination Medical Center that calls for piloting the use of self-driving vehicles downtown for a 12-month period.
The vehicles would come in the form of autonomous shuttles, which would run on a fixed route connecting Methodist Hospital with hotels, shops, restaurants, and parking. The program could begin as early as this spring.
[Update: the motion was approved on 1.6.20]
First Transit, Rochester’s public transit provider, has been selected by MnDOT to operate the shuttle program. It uses shuttles from EasyMile, a France-based startup specializing in autonomous vehicle technology.
EasyMile’s EZ10 model is the same shuttle that was previously used in demonstrations on Peace Plaza. First Transit also tested the vehicles along Nicollet Mall in 2018 when Minneapolis hosted the Super Bowl.
“The Rochester automated shuttle pilot is a great learning opportunity for the future of transit in downtown Rochester,” said Patrick Seeb, DMC’s director of economic development and placemaking. “As a prototype over the next year, it provides another innovative transportation option in the downtown core for residents and visitors.”
Proposed circulator route
The program calls for using two electric shuttles, each of which would operate at a speed of between 12-15 miles per hour. The vehicles, which are wheelchair-accessible, can carry up to 12 passengers at a time.
While the vehicles do not have steering wheels or pedals, they do have sensors that can detect obstacles and avoid collisions. They will also be monitored by an attendant ready to take over control if necessary.
Among the main objectives for the pilot program will be understanding how the technology operates in winter weather conditions. The city also hopes to identify any infrastructure improvements that might be necessary to ensuring the vehicles can be used regularly on public roadways.
As proposed, the shuttles would run on a pre-determined course that would go down Sixth Street Southwest, Third Avenue Southwest, West Center Street, and South Broadway. The program would be operated at no cost to the city, other than putting up new signage and storing the vehicles.
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
Cover photo: The EZ10 during a demo at Peace Plaza / Tom Roster
