North Carolina Launches New Initiative for Autonomous Transportation
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation is moving transportation innovation forward today with the launch of its newest initiative, Advance Mobility NC.
Advance Mobility NC leverages the trailblazing work of the department’s aviation, integrated mobility and rail divisions to create a shared, autonomous, and connected multimodal transportation system that improves access and mobility of people and freight. NCDOT plans to invest in new technologies to improve mobility, including autonomous transit vehicles, advanced air mobility, on-demand transportation services, mobility hubs, connected streets and freight transfer hubs.
“At NCDOT, we are thinking ahead and always looking for opportunities to collaborate with other thought leaders, government entities and businesses to enhance our services and help us bring our vision for safer and more convenient transportation to fruition,” said Multimodal Transportation Secretary Julie White. “Advance Mobility NC is our strategic, shared vision for what mobility will be.”
Some examples of North Carolina’s dedication to turn this vision into a reality include:
NCDOT’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program launched the first demonstration flight of an uncrewed electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) in the U.S. in 2020.
NCDOT also deployed its first autonomous transit shuttles with the launch of its Connected Autonomous Shuttle Supporting Innovation (CASSI) program in 2020 and partnered with the National Park Service in 2021 to deploy the first autonomous shuttle service in the country at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
NCDOT and the City of Wilson deployed one of the first rural on-demand microtransit services in the country in 2020 and recently won a USDOT grant to deploy on-demand microtransit in eleven rural North Carolina communities.
The department is in the process of developing a three-year strategic plan and expects the plan to be completed and adopted by 2024. This plan will include investing in existing infrastructure, piloting new technologies, deploying new mobility services, partnering with industry and local governments and supporting workforce development.
“Advance Mobility NC is the next step in the progression of transportation, applying modern technology to make all of these multimodal services more accessible and convenient for everyone,” said N.C. Board of Transportation Division 8 Representative Lisa Mathis. “We hope Advance Mobility NC will be a roadmap for rapid advancement of mobility innovation.”
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