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Why is This Trial Being Conducted?

This on-road trial will help project partners to further assess the effectiveness of electric Low-Speed Automated Shuttles as a potential ‘first and last mile’ transportation solution.

  • In August 2019, Area X.O, the futureplex of innovation and collaboration operated by Invest Ottawa, and key partners hosted an initial first automated shuttle trial on a custom-designed route
  • The outcomes of this successful test supported the on-going development, validation, and safe implementation of CAVs
  • This new Low-Speed Automated Shuttle on-road trial at Tunney’s Pasture will build upon the outcomes of the 2019 project, and test these vehicles on a more complicated route
  • It will enable project partners to continue evaluating the efficacy of automated shuttles operating in different conditions in a real-world transportation environment
  • This insight is required to evaluate these vehicles as a potential 'first and last mile' transportation solution

What Are the Goals of this On-Road Trial?

This research project aims to:

  • Gain insights into the planning and approval processes for testing this emerging technology on Canadian roads
  • Assess the effectiveness of automated shuttles operating in various conditions in a real-world transportation environment, including their automated driving capabilities, battery energy efficiency, accessibility, and rider perception of the technology
  • Inform Transport Canada's approach to low-speed automated shuttles, including the development of guidance documents for testing connected and automated vehicle technology

In support of these goals, we are inviting key stakeholders, and tenants of Tunney's Pasture to:

  • Participate in this trial and share feedback on the automated shuttles
    • These vehicles will operate at 15KM/hour on a 1.5 KM route through the Tunney's Pasture campus

What is a Low-Speed Automated Shuttle (LSAS)?

A Low-Speed Automated Shuttle is a small electric self-driving passenger vehicle that can fit up to six people (seated).

  • The maximum speed of these vehicles is typically 25km/hr (or less).
  • A safety operator is onboard to take full control of the shuttle if required at any time.
  • These vehicles generally travel along a programmed route and utilize sensors and software to detect their surroundings, guide travel and avoid obstacles.

What Days and Times Can I Ride the Shuttle?

The automated shuttles will operate at the Tunney's Pasture campus, and host rides with research study participants from Tuesday, Nov. 3 to Friday, Nov. 13 on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday to Friday (except Nov. 11): 8am to 4pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 4pm
  • Wednesday, Nov. 11: 12pm to 4pm
  • Please note: Shuttles will not operate on Mondays

There are a limited number of pre-scheduled rides available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first shuttle will be dedicated to:

  • Scheduled rides for key stakeholders and up to five additional people who reside under the same roof for a safe, pre-scheduled, and professionally managed 15-minute ride.
  • All pre-scheduled rides must be booked via RideShark
  • These rides will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis during hours of shuttle operation

The second shuttle will be dedicated to:

  • Research participants with a destination in the Tunney's Pasture campus who hop on the shuttle at the stop on Yarrow Drive
    • These rides do not require booking however they are only available on a first-come, first-served basis

How Are You Preserving the Health and Safety of our Community During the Pandemic?

Our project team is working in close collaboration with public health authorities to preserve the health and safety of our community. We are adopting the following protocols and measures recommended by Ottawa Public Health:

  • All passengers are required to wear a face mask to board and travel in the shuttle
  • Each rider must sit in an available seat to maintain physical distancing protocols
  • Some seats on the shuttles will be blocked and unavailable for passengers to help ensure a safe distance in the vehicle
  • Shuttles serving pre-registered volunteers will be fully sanitized following each scheduled ride
  • Shuttles serving citizens who use these vehicles as an extension of essential transportation services will be sanitized regularly (per health regulations)
  • The EasyMile shuttle operator will wear an N-95 mask to enhance the safety of all passengers

Where Do I Board the Shuttle?

  • The automated shuttles will leave from a stop located on the southside of Yarrow Driveway near Tunney’s Pasture Driveway
  • A customer service representative will be onsite to direct booked passengers to the waiting area, and facilitate the onboarding process

What is the Shuttle Route for This Research Project?

The automated shuttles will follow a 1.5 KM route throughout the Tunney's Pasture campus.

  • It will leave from a stop located on Yarrow Driveway and travel for approximately 15 minutes with four stops as highlighted below
LSAS Route

Who Will Operate the Shuttle?

A fully trained, and certified EasyMile operator will:

  • Be onboard the automated shuttle throughout the entire research project
  • This includes all rides conducted with Ottawa transit users and employees from Tunney's Pasture
  • This operator will have full control of the shuttle
  • Serve as the customer service ambassador to address passenger questions, facilitate onboarding and assist riders with accessibility requirements

Is Parking Available at Tunney’s Pasture?

There is paid parking available throughout Tunney’s Pasture.

LSAS Route

How Many People Can Join Me In the Shuttle?

Each rider is invited to register up to five additional people who reside with them under the same roof for a safe, pre-scheduled, and professionally managed 15-minute ride.

Can I Book People Outside of My Household?

No. To ensure the health and safety of our community, only five additional people who reside under the same roof may be registered with you.

Is the Shuttle Wheelchair Accessible?

Yes. Shuttles are fully accessible with an access ramp and space for persons with assistive devices.

Can I Hop On and Off of the Shuttle During My Ride?

  • Stakeholders are invited to register for our 15-minute circuit around the Tunney’s Pasture campus
  • Riders are required to board at the first stop on Yarrow Driveway
  • Riders with a destination in the Tunney's Pasture campus may disembark at one of the designated stops on the route

May I Eat and Drink While Riding the Shuttle?

No. Eating and drinking is not permitted on the shuttle.

All passengers are required to wear a mask while boarding and traveling on the shuttle.

May I Bring a Stroller on the Shuttle?

Yes. Passengers are welcome to bring a stroller on the shuttle.

Does a Baby in My Arms Count Towards the Six People Permitted per Shuttle Ride?

Yes. No more than six people who reside under the same roof may ride the shuttle together. This includes infants and children.

Can I bring an animal onboard the shuttle?

Only licensed service animals are permitted on the shuttle.

Is There a Cost to Book or Ride the Shuttle?

No. There is no cost to ride the shuttle.

We will ask participants to complete a short anonymous and confidential survey following their trip to support the goals of this research project.

What if I Need to Cancel My Ride?

You can log on to www.OttawaRideMatch.com to cancel your ride.

FAQ – About This Research Project

Why Explore How Automated Shuttles Could Contribute to Future Public Transportation?

  • Automated shuttles are designed to provide safe and reliable transportation for riders over the first or last mile of their journey (where public transportation does not currently exist)
  • For commuters, these shuttles have the potential to assist in providing a seamless and efficient connection to transportation hubs
  • These vehicles may offer a variety of economic, social and environmental benefits, with the potential to improve accessibility to, and convenience of, transportation systems

What Shuttle Will We Use in This Research Project?

This research project will use the EZ10 shuttle by EasyMile, an industry leader in self-driving automated technology. Among its credentials, safety track record and expertise, the company:

  • Has operated automated vehicles in 300+ locations in more than 30 countries, garnering international recognition for quality delivery and real-service deployments
  • Serves global clients including leading transport operators, city authorities, airports, business parks, universities, manufacturers, factories and logistics centers
  • Is the first in the world to deploy an automated shuttle with Level 4 autonomy
  • Is the first automated vehicle solutions provider to be ISO 9001:2015 certified
  • Created the EZ10 shuttle to improve public transport by connecting transportation hubs; and
  • Combines engineering expertise and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, computer vision and vehicle dynamics powered by deep learning in all solutions

What Organizations Are Leading This Research Project?

  • Transport Canada is supporting this research project to test and evaluate this emerging technology. Results will inform Transport Canada approaches for low-speed automated shuttles, including the development of guidance documents for connected and automated vehicles testing in Canada
  • Invest Ottawa, lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries, and founder, leader and manager of Area X.O, the futureplex of innovation and collaboration, is delivering this innovative automated shuttle research project
  • EasyMile is the shuttle vendor, owner and operator
  • Additional key partners include: The City of Ottawa, Ontario's Ministry of Transportation, AutoGuardian, RideShark, the National Research Council of Canada and Accenture
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