Altamonte Springs pioneers autonomous mobility with CraneRIDES, offering sustainable and convenient transportation options for residents.

Altamonte Springs is set to embrace the future of transportation with the introduction of CraneRIDES, an innovative autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle project in the Uptown Altamonte area. The City of Altamonte Springs, in collaboration with Beep Inc., a leading provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions, is spearheading this groundbreaking phased AV pilot program. The initiative aims to explore alternative transit modes and address the evolving economic and urban landscape while providing environmentally-friendly mobility solutions for residents, visitors, and businesses.

CraneRIDES, at the forefront of AV technology, offers convenient and sustainable transportation options, connecting individuals to major activity centers. Altamonte Springs residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience this emerging technology firsthand, revolutionizing their daily commutes. With millions of vehicles passing through Altamonte Springs each year, this AV shuttle pilot program offers viable alternatives to navigate the city with ease, bypassing congested roads and the hassle of parking. The strategically placed AV shuttle stops will provide convenient access to local destinations.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) selected Altamonte Springs as the testbed for this AV shuttle project, allowing the city to gather valuable data for implementing similar technology in other municipalities. To support the pilot program, the FDOT granted a service development grant, providing 50% of the $2.4 million required for the first three years of operation.

John E. Tyler, Florida Department of Transportation District 5 Secretary, emphasized the importance of developing diverse transportation options to efficiently move people. He stated, "Autonomous vehicles can be part of the solution. Our partnership with the City of Altamonte Springs creates a scalable, replicable model that other Florida communities can now evaluate through hands-on experience because of our CraneRIDES AV partnership with the City."

Beep, renowned for its expertise in deploying and testing autonomous shuttles across various communities from Florida to California, will provide the technology and shuttles necessary to make CraneRIDES a reality.

Over the course of three years, Altamonte Springs plans to establish a 100% electric AV shuttle network, offering residents and visitors seamless connectivity between Uptown Altamonte, the city's primary retail business center, and the Altamonte Springs SunRail Station, Central Florida's commuter rail service.

Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz highlighted the city's commitment to pioneering forward-thinking initiatives, stating, "The data and lessons learned from our project will serve as a blueprint for other cities on utilizing autonomous shuttles to create greater access for everyone."

The initial phase of CraneRIDES will involve testing two electric AV shuttles along a 1.5-mile route, connecting Altamonte Mall, Renaissance Centre, Cranes Roost, and AMC Theatre. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience these AV shuttles seven days a week, with four stops available along the route.

Future phases of the project will further expand and enhance passenger services, introducing additional AV vehicles and extending connectivity to the AdventHealth Altamonte campus, Altamonte Springs SunRail Station, and CenterPointe. The latter is a planned 55-acre mixed-use development featuring a hotel, retail establishments, and residential living.

Beep CEO Joe Moye expressed enthusiasm for joining forces with the Altamonte Springs community, aiming to enhance residents' lives through safe, sustainable, and accessible autonomous mobility networks. He emphasized the importance of practical testing in real-life scenarios, enabling the public to experience improved mobility on quieter and safer streets. Moye commended the visionary leadership of Altamonte Springs for their dedication to leading the way in this transformative area of transportation.

The CraneRIDES AV shuttle project marks a significant milestone in Altamonte Springs' journey toward a more innovative and efficient future of transportation, promising a new era of mobility for its residents and visitors.

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