Driverless shuttle rolling into Peoria entertainment district

PHOENIX – A fully electric driverless shuttle will roll out on the streets of one West Valley city later this month.

The Peoria City Council approved funding Tuesday night for a 60-day autonomous vehicle pilot program with a Florida-based mobility company.

The Beep shuttle is set to launch Feb. 22 and will run from noon to 6 p.m. daily in the P83 Entertainment District.

The city said it will be the first autonomous shuttle operating on a public street in Arizona.

“This transportation pilot is a unique experiment for our community,” Mayor Cathy Carlat said in a press release.

“We see this as an important step as we seek to understand some of the innovative solutions that exist around the world, and how they bring value to Peoria residents.”

The shuttle, which has no steering wheel or pedal, will travel along Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive from Huntington University to Paradise Lane on a programmed, fixed route.

The vehicle, a creation of French company NAVYA, has room for 10 passengers and won’t travel above 15 mph.

Beep has previously partnered with NAVYA on autonomous shuttles in an Orlando, Florida, community.

“We are very excited to be a part of this collaboration to offer a safe, green and intelligent mobility solution so Peoria’s residents and visitors can have an even more exciting spring training experience,” Beep CEO Joe Moye said in the release.

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