Bryan, Texas to introduce self-driving trolleys to Downtown Bryan in October

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In October, the city of Bryan, Texas, in partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), will introduce two electric self-driving trolleys to Downtown Bryan.

According to the city of Bryan, this program differs from other programs because the Downtown Bryan location offers a “pedestrian rich environment for both foot and bicycle traffic offering numerous, real-life challenges to autonomous vehicle driving technology.”

The city of Bryan adds that the self-driving trolleys are the first of their kind to be utilized on public rights-of-way in the Brazos Valley, and to the city’s knowledge, just the second in the nation.

“Downtown Bryan offers the perfect landscape for refining the technology used to provide autonomous transportation,” says Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson.

“With bicycles, pedestrians, automobiles, and trains to test the capabilities of the self-driving trolleys, we are excited to see how this program can assist with research already underway by TEES. This is another area where Texas A&M and the City of Bryan have partnered for the betterment of the community.”

For the program, there are five different pick-up/drop-off points known as depots. They will be marked by sandwich board signage during hours of operation.

During the first 30 days of the program, the trolleys will be operated by TEES for two hours each day between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday. After this initial time period, there is an opportunity for the schedule to be modified.

The trolleys can carry six passengers at a time, including two safety drivers and four passengers. Equipped with seat belts for all riders, the trolleys are uniquely wrapped to be easily identified by the public.