As Accessibili-D AV mobility shuttle nears end of successful 1-year trial, City to explore long-term service
- AV shuttle service had 5-star rating among users since trial began last June
- Office of Mobility Innovation working with DDOT to ensure shuttle riders with disabilities will be served by Paratransit service until long-term AV shuttle returns later this year
The City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) announced today that following a successful 12-month assessment period, it will begin the process of seeking a long-term contract to provide free autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle service for residents living with disabilities and/or over the age of 62.
The Accessibili-D Autonomous Shuttle pilot—launched nearly one year ago—will complete its final ride on June 30, said Director of the Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI), Tim Slusser. The 12-month pilot has proven highly successful, he said, demonstrating that accessible AV mobility can work for Detroit and its residents.
“This program is a great example of how we can use new technology to remove barriers for Detroiters who need reliable, affordable transportation the most,” said Slusser. “Thanks to this pilot, we were able to learn a lot about community support for this type of service and how we can improve it going forward.”
Pilot Results and Ridership Impact
- 4,000+ individual rides provided during the pilot
- 5.0-star rider satisfaction rating across 700+ reviews
- 96% of trips taken by repeat users (over 600 participants enrolled and 150 unique riders)
- Average wait time: 10 minutes
About the Accessibili-D Service
Launched in June 2024, Accessibili-D aimed to close transportation gaps for older adults and residents with disabilities. The pilot was led by OMI in partnership with the Michigan Mobility Collaborative and May Mobility, supported by a $2.4 million contract and additional grant funding. A $206,000 grant from the Delta Dental Foundation funded shuttle trips to dental clinics, including My Community Dental Centers at the Samaritan Center.
The free shuttle operated across 128 stops within an 11-square-mile area of southeast Detroit. Three autonomous vehicles—including two wheelchair-accessible—ran five days a week with reduced weekend hours. A trained safety operator was always behind the wheel to assist riders and take control if needed.
Riders could board at the nearest stop, travel to any location on the route, and return. Many stops were located near senior housing and apartment complexes for convenience.
Top Trip Purposes
Private residences
Shopping
Medical appointments
Next Steps
Slusser said the City expects to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the coming months and hopes to have a long-term contract in place late this year. Any future plans will be informed by community feedback and data gathered during the pilot.
To ensure current riders are supported during the transition, OMI is partnering with the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) to make sure that Accessibili-D riders with disabilities are provided interim transportation solutions until long-term shuttle service returns late this year.
"We understand how important this service has become for many Detroiters, and we’re committed to making sure their mobility needs continue to be met," said Robert Cramer, Director of DDOT. "Our team is working closely with OMI to identify and deliver gap service while the long-term program is developed."
Michigan Mobility Collaborative (MMC) Support
The pilot was supported by the Michigan Mobility Collaborative (MMC), a public-private partnership focused on mobility solutions for older adults and people with disabilities. Members included the City of Detroit, AECOM, the American Center for Mobility, Ford Motor Company, Deloitte, Knight Foundation, Mcity at the University of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), and Wayne State University. MMC partners provided technical guidance throughout the pilot, with a focus on safety, data, and collaboration.