Autonomous transit developer Glydways has broken ground on its first publicly accessible Automated Transit Network (ATN) in South Metro Atlanta, marking the debut of a driverless, on-demand system designed to operate as public transportation.
The initial pilot consists of a 0.5-mile dedicated guideway linking the ATL SkyTrain at the Georgia International Convention Center to Gateway Center Arena. The system is scheduled to open to the public in December 2026 and will offer free rides using fully autonomous electric vehicles.
Unlike traditional bus or rail services, the ATN will operate on demand, allowing riders to request trips individually. Vehicles will travel directly to their destination without intermediate stops, running continuously around the clock on infrastructure separated from regular road traffic.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will conduct a feasibility study evaluating performance, ridership and the potential for expansion across the wider metropolitan area. Regional partners supporting the project include the City of College Park, Clayton County and Fulton County.
Glydways said the dedicated guideway design enables predictable travel times unaffected by congestion and can be deployed more quickly and at lower cost than conventional transit infrastructure. The pilot will serve as a real-world test of reliability, scalability and integration with existing multimodal transport systems.
Chief Commercial Officer Chris Riley said the project addresses growing urban mobility challenges. “Congestion is a global problem, and cities everywhere are searching for solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and deliver a better service for their communities,” he said, adding that the Atlanta system aims to improve access without expanding road capacity.
The groundbreaking comes as the company advances discussions for potential deployments in other regions. Glydways has agreements with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to explore similar systems, alongside opportunities in several U.S. states and international cities.
Founded in 2016, Glydways positions its network as a complement to existing transit rather than a replacement. The Atlanta pilot will provide the first large-scale operational data for the technology and could influence whether autonomous guideway systems gain broader adoption as urban transport solutions.