Self-Driving Shuttle Pilot Program Planned In Merrifield

MERRIFIELD, VA—Fairfax County and Dominion Energy are planning a pilot program for an autonomous, or self-driving, electric shuttle in the Merrifield area.

Under the partnership, Dominion Energy would lease or buy the vehicle for the program and the county would oversee the operations. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider the partnership with Dominion Energy on June 25.

The shuttle will run between the Dunn Loring Metro and Mosaic District, but an exact route has not been determined. A launch date has not been announced, although WTOP estimates it could be ready for riders in 2020. That date is dependent on the federal approval process. Riders would not have to pay to use the shuttle.

The pilot program will be one of the first tests of driverless technology in public transportation in the state. It will test how autonomous vehicles work as part of a larger public transportation system.

Electricity will power the autonomous shuttle, which the county and Dominion Energy believe can play a role in future, more environmentally-friendly public transportation. A press release from the county states, "Fairfax County aims to be at the forefront of innovation by testing this smart technology for economic and environmental benefits, operational efficiencies and as a first and last mile travel option connecting people from Metrorail stations to employment, activity centers and residential communities."

The state's transportation board approved a $250,000 Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation grant for the pilot, and Fairfax County will provide $50,000.