Via Case Studies Transforming Public Transit in Grand Rapids with Autonomous On-Demand Microtransit

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	Transforming Public Transit in Grand Rapids with Autonomous On-Demand Microtransit Via

Transforming Public Transit in Grand Rapids with Autonomous On-Demand Microtransit

Via

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS) Robots - Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV)
Applicable Industries	Automotive Electronics
Use Cases	Autonomous Transport Systems Transportation Simulation
Challenge	The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was facing a challenge with its public transit system. The existing system was based on a fixed route autonomous shuttle following the City’s Downtown Area Shuttle West Route. This system was restrictive as it only allowed passengers to travel to a fixed set and sequence of stops. The city was looking for a solution that would allow passengers to travel anywhere they wish at any time, providing a more flexible and convenient mode of transportation. The challenge was to transition from a fixed route system to an entirely on-demand service, while also integrating autonomous vehicle technology. Read More
About Customer	The customers of this service are the residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who need a flexible and convenient mode of public transportation. The service is particularly beneficial for those who live or work in the downtown area and the Westside neighborhoods. Many riders use the service to facilitate trips to other forms of transit at Amtrak’s Vernon J. Ehlers Station and Rapid Central Station, the city’s primary hub for bus travel. Other popular destinations include restaurants, shops, and offices throughout the city. The service is also accessible to wheelchair users, making it inclusive and accessible to all. Read More
Solution	In July 2021, the city of Grand Rapids launched an on-demand autonomous microtransit service, AVGR, in partnership with Via, May Mobility, and Gentex Corporation. The service was composed of five May Mobility vehicles, including one wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Passengers could book free trips across downtown Grand Rapids, Monday through Friday, from 7am to 7pm, using Via’s white-labeled rider app. Once a trip was booked, the app directed riders to a convenient nearby pickup point to meet their shared ride. Via’s platform powered the routing and fleet assignment. The service zone was expanded from 1 square mile to 4.2 square miles. AVGR vehicles were equipped with technology to enhance the customer experience, including Via’s in-vehicle screens for boarding confirmation and real-time trip information, and sensing pods for tracking lost objects, monitoring passenger safety, and maintaining vehicle cleanliness. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)

Robots - Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Electronics

Use Cases

Autonomous Transport Systems

Transportation Simulation

Challenge

The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was facing a challenge with its public transit system. The existing system was based on a fixed route autonomous shuttle following the City’s Downtown Area Shuttle West Route. This system was restrictive as it only allowed passengers to travel to a fixed set and sequence of stops. The city was looking for a solution that would allow passengers to travel anywhere they wish at any time, providing a more flexible and convenient mode of transportation. The challenge was to transition from a fixed route system to an entirely on-demand service, while also integrating autonomous vehicle technology.

About Customer

The customers of this service are the residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who need a flexible and convenient mode of public transportation. The service is particularly beneficial for those who live or work in the downtown area and the Westside neighborhoods. Many riders use the service to facilitate trips to other forms of transit at Amtrak’s Vernon J. Ehlers Station and Rapid Central Station, the city’s primary hub for bus travel. Other popular destinations include restaurants, shops, and offices throughout the city. The service is also accessible to wheelchair users, making it inclusive and accessible to all.

Solution

In July 2021, the city of Grand Rapids launched an on-demand autonomous microtransit service, AVGR, in partnership with Via, May Mobility, and Gentex Corporation. The service was composed of five May Mobility vehicles, including one wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Passengers could book free trips across downtown Grand Rapids, Monday through Friday, from 7am to 7pm, using Via’s white-labeled rider app. Once a trip was booked, the app directed riders to a convenient nearby pickup point to meet their shared ride. Via’s platform powered the routing and fleet assignment. The service zone was expanded from 1 square mile to 4.2 square miles. AVGR vehicles were equipped with technology to enhance the customer experience, including Via’s in-vehicle screens for boarding confirmation and real-time trip information, and sensing pods for tracking lost objects, monitoring passenger safety, and maintaining vehicle cleanliness.

Impact #1	The transition from a fixed route to an on-demand service has significantly improved the public transit system in Grand Rapids. The service is now more flexible and convenient, allowing passengers to travel anywhere they wish at any time. The integration of autonomous vehicle technology has also enhanced the efficiency and reliability of the service. The AVGR pilot has provided valuable insights into public acceptance of autonomous transit technology and on-demand transit services, which will inform future AV deployments. Furthermore, the technology used in the AVGR vehicles has improved the customer experience by providing real-time trip information, tracking lost objects, monitoring passenger safety, and maintaining vehicle cleanliness.

Impact #1

The transition from a fixed route to an on-demand service has significantly improved the public transit system in Grand Rapids. The service is now more flexible and convenient, allowing passengers to travel anywhere they wish at any time. The integration of autonomous vehicle technology has also enhanced the efficiency and reliability of the service. The AVGR pilot has provided valuable insights into public acceptance of autonomous transit technology and on-demand transit services, which will inform future AV deployments. Furthermore, the technology used in the AVGR vehicles has improved the customer experience by providing real-time trip information, tracking lost objects, monitoring passenger safety, and maintaining vehicle cleanliness.

Benefit #1	Over 2,000 autonomous rides provided in the first 6 months
Benefit #2	7-minute average ETA
Benefit #3	9 average trips per rider

Benefit #1

Over 2,000 autonomous rides provided in the first 6 months

Benefit #2

7-minute average ETA

Benefit #3

9 average trips per rider

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Overview

Transforming Public Transit in Grand Rapids with Autonomous On-Demand Microtransit

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit