Autonomous Vehicle Advantage:
PSTA invites you to hop aboard and experience AVA! Embark on a smooth ride through some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment that Dunedin has to offer.
PSTA has partnered with Beep to bring our riders the first autonomous vehicle in the Tampa Bay Area to share the road with mixed traffic.
During her visit to Dunedin, AVA will be looking to gain feedback on how the community feels about the possibility of using Autonomous Vehicles as a transit option in the future.
About our Service:
- Launches April 28, ends June 12
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Hours: AVA’s service will operate Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Dunedin
- Before riding, please read our Rules of the Road HERE.
- Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions.
COVID – 19 Precautions:
Similar to PSTA’s policy, masks are no longer required onboard, but are recommended.
Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer stations are available on AVA for copilots and passengers to use. We ask passengers to use the hand sanitizer before boarding AVA and buckle their seatbelts. We have enhanced our cleaning procedures while AVA in in service and at the end of the day. We have also reduced the seating capacity on our shuttles. Onboard copilots will direct where related passengers, unrelated passengers, and wheelchair companions should sit.
The Autonomous Vehicle Advantage
There are many benefits of riding in an Autonomous Vehicle, like AVA, over most traditional vehicles. AVA is a careful and defensive driver, is better for the environment, and has to potential to provide greater connectivity for riders.
With the use of almost a dozen sensors, AVA has more eyes on the road than a human driver possibly could. This results in safe transportation for riders, and other vehicles on the road.
AVA is 100% electric. Using electricity generated from a power plant burns less fossil fuel and is more efficient than generating power/fuel for personal use (i.e., the internal combustion engine on a vehicle).
In addition, fewer moving parts means less environmental impact due to reduced maintenance and AVA has no consumable fluids onboard, like oil or engine coolant, that can harm the environment.
In the future, autonomous vehicles such as AVA could be used as a permanent circulator service or a first-mile/last-mile solution to areas not served by PSTA’s network. This would help to alleviate traffic congestion around downtown areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PSTA launch the AVA Pilot?
PSTA is innovative and is finding new ways to help safely connect people to places. As autonomous vehicle technology is becoming more advanced, PSTA is exploring its potential use in Pinellas County. During her three-month pilot, AVA will help PSTA gain feedback on how the community feels about using autonomous vehicles as a transit option in the future.
What are the advantages of autonomous vehicles such as AVA?
- Safety: With the use of LiDar sensors, AVA has more eyes on the road than a human driver possibly could. This results in safe transportation for riders, and other vehicles on the road.
- Environmental & Sustainability: AVA is 100% electric. Using electricity generated from a power plant burns less fossil fuel and is more efficient than generating power/fuel for personal use (i.e., the internal combustion engine on a vehicle). In addition, fewer moving parts means less environmental impact due to reduced maintenance and AVA has no consumable fluids onboard, like oil or engine coolant, that can harm the environment.
- Connectivity: In the future, autonomous vehicles such as AVA could be used as a complementary and long-term solution for circulator service or a first-mile/last-mile solution to areas not served by PSTA’s network.
- Equity: PSTA leads the way in innovation and introduces cutting-edge technology to as many high-traffic parts of the Pinellas County region as possible. AVA allows residents and visitors alike to experience a future transit solution.