On the roads of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, you may spot a seemingly ordinary Toyota minivan doing groundbreaking work. Since October 2022, five self-driving shuttle vans—with onboard operators for safety—have offered free, on-demand rides as part of the Minnesota Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative (goMARTI) pilot program. It’s a collaborative effort between multiple stakeholders and partners to conduct a first-of-its-kind demonstration of self-driving shuttles in a rural setting.
To make the most of the knowledge gained through this innovative project, U researchers conducted two studies sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) following goMARTI’s 18-month pilot phase.
The first study reviewed past efforts identifying the transportation needs of underserved populations in Grand Rapids and evaluated how the goMARTI pilot project addressed those needs. The work was led by Frank Douma, director of state and local policy and outreach in the Institute for Urban and Regional Infrastructure Finance at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
The study found goMARTI is successfully filling previously unmet transportation needs in the Grand Rapids community. The service is available to those who are unable to drive, including young people and those with mobility challenges (three of the vans can accommodate wheelchairs). goMARTI also provides a reliable form of transportation for the entire community and helps educate residents about connected autonomous vehicles.
“Many individuals who are unable to drive or lack consistent access to a vehicle reported a positive experience with goMARTI and want to see the service expanded and continued,” Douma says. “It’s a sign of a successful project when the main suggestions for improvement are to increase the service.”
In the second project, Thomas Fisher, director of the Minnesota Design Center, envisioned mobility hubs for autonomous vehicle shuttles operating in small towns or cities outside of metro areas. Mobility hubs are an emerging trend in planning focused on collecting a variety of mobility options (such as buses, trains, shared bikes, and scooters) at points where people can easily and safely move from one mode to another. However, most existing mobility hubs are designed for larger urban and suburban environments.
“While the mobility hub concept was originally developed for urban settings, we found it could be successfully scaled down to suit smaller cities and towns where there are just as many mobility needs—just not as many people,” Fisher says.
The designers conceptualized hubs with flexible, movable components that fit within one or two parking spaces and are no wider than a sidewalk. The designs ranged from simple to complex based on the street type. They also focused on accessibility, with accommodations for individuals with motor, visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments.
Although the first 18-month goMARTI pilot demonstration is complete, the program (and the learning opportunities it offers) has been extended. In May 2023, the USDOT’s Federal Highway Administration awarded the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation a $9.3 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation grant to continue the goMARTI demonstration. The grant will allow goMARTI to expand its fleet and the area it serves—and continue toward its goal of service for all in the Grand Rapids community.
“The goMARTI project has been an excellent learning experience for MnDOT and our many project partners,” says Thomas Johnson-Kaiser, MnDOT’s CAV-X engagement and project manager. “Being the first large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicles in a rural environment with harsh winter weather, the lessons learned will be extremely valuable for any future deployments of autonomous vehicles or microtransit.”
—Megan Tsai, contributing writer
