The first phase of a project designed to test, operate and evaluate self-driving vehicles has launched in Ohio, as self-driving shuttles began operating on the streets of downtown Columbus on Monday, Dec. 10.

Through the project, residents and visitors will get to experience intelligent transportation first-hand.

The shuttles are being operated by May Mobility, which began testing and route mapping around the Scioto Mile—an urban oasis made up of more than 175 acres of lush parkland—this week.

“This is an important project for Columbus, but this pilot is a big step in our statewide plan,” says Jim Barna, executive director of DriveOhio.

“We want to enable other local governments throughout the state to safely test, operate and evaluate these self-driving shuttles so they can help their constituents move more easily from place to place.”

Capable of operating at a top speed of 25 miles per hour, the all-electric shuttles are equipped with a powerful array of sensors, cameras and intelligent software to map the route and monitor the environment.

​Each shuttle will have an operator on board at all times throughout this and other projects. The operator will be able take over operations of the vehicle if necessary, but their main jobs will be to oversee the vehicle, act as a guide and assist passengers along the route.

Once testing and mapping is complete, the shuttles are expected to begin picking up passengers, with as many as 10 shuttles servicing destinations along the Scioto Mile, including the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and the new National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

This test, which is the first of a three-phased deployment that will eventually include shuttles serving multiple routes, will help develop guidelines to inform the future deployment of self-driving technologies in Ohio, as well as the rest of the country.

“This pilot will shape future uses of this emerging technology in Columbus and the nation,” says Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Residents win when we add more mobility options to our transportation ecosystem – making it easier to get to work, school or local attractions.”