Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) is Always Moving Forward – searching for public transit concepts that work best for Valley residents. One concept being explored is adapting self-driving technology to serve the needs of our riders. WRTA has secured several grants, partnering with several leading companies in the field and testing new concepts over the coming months.
The first WRTA autonomous vehicle project, AV1, is funded by the Enhancing Life with Automated Transportation for Everyone (ELATE) grant. The AV1 is the first of its kind, a zero-emission autonomous transit vehicle that will be tested over a one-year demonstration period in Youngstown. The goal is to test the AV technology to see how it integrates in transit.
Start Date: Fourth Quarter of 2024
Hours of Operation: TBD
Fare: Riding AV1 is FREE (no fare)
Proposed Route: AV1 will provide service between WRTA’s Federal Transit Station and Mercy Heath Hospital along Fifth Ave. connecting Youngstown State University to Downtown and the hospital.