May Mobility has announced that its RAPID AV pilot program in Arlington, Texas, has surpassed 100,000 rides. Since its launch in March 2021, the autonomous vehicle service has been providing free transportation to students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), covering the campus and downtown areas. The program is part of ongoing efforts to improve mobility solutions for communities, particularly in campus and suburban settings.
The RAPID AV service is a partnership between May Mobility, the City of Arlington, Via, and UTA, designed to provide an accessible and efficient transportation option for UTA students, many of whom do not have access to personal vehicles. The service has been well-received, with surveys indicating that a significant portion of riders rely on it regularly.
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According to Ann Foss, Planning and Programming Manager for the City of Arlington, “The RAPID AV pilot has proven to be an effective solution for our community, providing transportation for students, residents, and visitors in the downtown and UTA campus areas.”
The autonomous vehicles in the program use Advanced Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology, an AI system that processes numerous scenarios per second to navigate safely, especially in busy areas with pedestrians. As a result, the service has earned a high satisfaction rate, with 96% of riders reporting feeling secure during their trips. The service operates over 1,000 rides each week and has earned a 4.9-star rating based on nearly 10,000 reviews.
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The RAPID AV program operates four vehicles, including one wheelchair-accessible option, across 35 pick-up and drop-off locations. The service is free for UTA students and staff, while the public can access it for a $3 fee. Rides are arranged through the Via-powered Arlington Transportation app, which groups riders with similar routes.