Abstract Manager

In 2017, Metrolinx began working with local partners, the City of Toronto and Region of Durham, to plan and launch trials of Low-Speed Automated Vehicle (LSAV) electric shuttles servicing Rouge Hill and Whitby GO Stations, respectively. From 2018 to 2021, both groups proceeded in parallel through various stages of their respective projects. The Whitby project was in operational service with the public during the Fall of 2021 and the Rouge Hill project, while never open to the public, was able to conduct test runs during the same time period. In review of the deployment of the two LSAV projects, a lessons learned report was developed by WSP and Metrolinx for future consideration. Interviews with key stakeholders including relevant transit agencies, technology providers and municipalities were conducted to acquire detailed insight to the processes developed for each pilot project. Additionally, a thorough review of existing automated vehicle (AV) policies and relevant project documentation was completed to better understand the goals and limitations of the pilots. The lessons learned highlighted aspects such as program management, procurement, planning, testing and integration, operations readiness, road worthiness, and evaluation. From these lessons learned, three key steps were developed for Metrolinx to take forward in future AV pilots including: creating a cultural shift to embrace both innovation and failure, manage expectations to reflect the state of the technology, and consider additional station access analysis to ensure that the infrastructure and layout at different stations is compatible with another LSAV pilot.