Transdev, the public transit management company that manages operations for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), demonstrated its self-driving shuttle, the EZ10, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center today, Monday, Jan. 30. Mayor Mitch Landrieu gave remarks, along with representatives from the RTA, Easy Mile and Transdev.
The EZ10 is a driverless and electric shuttle that can transport up to 12 people. The shuttle has no steering wheel and neither a dedicated front nor back. The EZ10 operates autonomously following a virtual line mapped and loaded in the software of the vehicle.
The vehicle is on a nation-wide tour to show community leaders and citizens across the United States what an automated transit ride would look and feel like. Members of the public were also invited to ride the vehicle, which was programmed to travel down Convention Center Blvd. from Julia Street down to John Churchill Chase Street.
With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, an award winning staff and first class amenities, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the sixth largest convention center in the nation, a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and tradeshows annually, and one of the city’s “Top Workplaces.” As “Louisiana’s Economic Engine,” Convention Center event activity has produced $53.7 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $3.4 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
For more information about the EZ10’s road trip, visit http://www.avroadtrip.org/.
