DEPARTMENT: Office of Innovation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Brian Dillard, Chief Innovation Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 3
SUBJECT: Autonomous Vehicles at Brooks
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this item is to provide the Innovation and Technology Committee with an overview of a potential SmartSA Autonomous Vehicle project at Brooks.
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Antonio (COSA), Brooks, and VIA are exploring opportunities for how autonomous/connected vehicles (AV) can be utilized to solve for last-mile/first-mile challenges within the city, specifically within the Brooks Innovation Zone.
With the new Brooks VIA Transit Center opening in September 2019, providing shuttles to move multiple riders to and from the transit center without the use of a personal vehicle is a need that has been identified.
Preliminary planning for routes, schedules, and vehicle types has been accomplished by VIA, COSA Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI), and Brooks. This planning will be shared with local community members in an effort to ensure it aligns with identified community member needs.
ISSUE:
During the SmartSA community outreach phase, traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and walkability were all identified as top issues. The intent of exploring autonomous vehicle technology is to heighten opportunities for reducing traffic congestion by providing direct routes to public transit, while also utilizing emerging technology to reduce safety concerns in alignment with Vision Zero.
An applied research component is being explored with UTSA, SwRI, and USAA to identify opportunities to simultaneously research community perceptions, effectiveness, liability, and regulatory aspects of autonomous vehicles.
Community Engagement throughout the Brooks Innovation Zone will be strategized and implemented through coordination with, but not limited to, the Innovation & Technology Committee, the District 3 Council Office, the Brooks Development Authority, Brooks residents, and...
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