14 August 2018
NAVYA AND KEOLIS LAUNCH THE FIRST AUTONOMOUS SHUTTLE PILOT PROJECT ON PUBLIC ROADS IN CANADA
NAVYA and Keolis Canada announced on August 10 the launch of an 12-month autonomous shuttle pilot project that will begin in late August in Candiac, Quebec. The AUTONOM SHUTTLE will operate on public roads in mixed traffic thus completing the existing transport offer.
On August 10, NAVYA and KEOLIS CANADA announced the launch of Canada’s first long-duration, autonomous shuttle pilot project in the city of Candiac, near Montreal. This pilot will begin at the end of August and the shuttle will operate in real traffic conditions on public roads for twelve months, a first in Canada.
This project is supported by the Government of Quebec, Technopôle IVEO, Cluster for Electric and Smart Transport and Propulsion Québec.
The AUTONOM SHUTTLE will transport users on a 2km route including several stops throughout the city in order to best meet their mobility needs and especially during their home-work trips.
“Keolis Canada has strong expertise in developing mobility solutions tailored to different communities and improving passengers’ travel options and habits. The autonomous electric shuttle complements Candiac’s existing transportation offer and is yet another step towards integrated intermodal transportation services,” Marie Hélène Cloutier, Vice-President, Passenger Experience, Marketing & Sales for Keolis Canada.
“We are very excited to launch this project in Québec. Keolis is investing in new shared electric mobility services because it is an important cornerstone for the future of public transportation.” Patrick Gilloux, President and Chief Operating Officer of Keolis Canada
“Candiac places great importance on public and active transport. We are constantly working to provide additional multimodal transportation options while remaining steadfastly focused on the notions of sustainable development and the smart city. A true showcase of technological advancements, the autonomous electric shuttle project put forth by Keolis Canada and NAVYA is perfectly aligned with our vision in terms of innovation and is at the heart of our 2014–2029 strategic development plan. We are extremely proud to be the first city in Canada to move forward with a project of this nature,” Normand Dyotte, Mayor of Candiac.
“NAVYA is proud to work with our partner Keolis Canada and the City of Candiac on this important milestone in Canadian transportation. This project embodies NAVYA’s vision of autonomous shared mobility and fills an important transportation need for which our shuttles were designed. We commend Québec for its collaborative efforts to complement existing transportation options. NAVYA is an ideal partner for municipalities that take a sustainable and viable approach to transportation. Our autonomous shuttles are operating in 17 countries, and we’re pleased to welcome Canada to the list of forward-thinking nations.” Christophe Sapet, NAVYA‘s CEO.
“The autonomous shuttle project in Candiac is a first in several ways for the electric and smart transportation industry of Québec. One of the main benefits of autonomous transportation is to improve passengers’ experience, especially within areas that are not currently served by collective transport offer, such as the first and last kilometers of a trip, without having to add heavy infrastructures. This progress will also contribute to the development and adoption of a regulatory framework, practices and public policies that will foster the development, testing and marketing of electric and intelligent vehicles, one of Propulsion Québec’s principal mandates. This is a great achievement that will benefit the community and members of the Cluster” Sarah Houde, Executive Director of Propulsion Québec.
“IVÉO is pleased to contribute to the development of this demonstration project. It is important for us to respond to all types of mobility issues in small and medium-sized cities. With this project, we address Candiac’s specific concerns, and we are able to make the right link between the service offered by Keolis and the municipality’s decision-makers. Québec’s presence in the new mobility ecosystem is crucial, and this is a good example of what we can do in a collaborative environment,” Benoit Balmana, Chief Executive at IVÉO.
“The CAA-Québec Foundation for road safety is particularly interested to study the different considerations that the arrival of this new autonomous mobility on our roads rise and, incidentally, to road sharing at large. The impact on users, being pedestrians, cyclists or car drivers, must be evaluated for a harmonious and safe road sharing. Therefore, we are seriously considering the possibility to measure social acceptance of this autonomous mobility as part of such a stimulating and promising project” Marco Harrison, director of the CAA-Québec Foundation.
