What was the bigger announcement? That the Valley Transit Authority is looking at how they transform the organization to become a mobility manager or that they are looking at autonomous buses in rights-of-way they own, instead of fixed rail solutions. These were just a few of the may insights from ProspectSV’s Innovation and Impact Symposium, held on May 31st, 2018 at San Jose’ City Hall.
ProspectSV CEO Ruth Cox touches upon some of the highlights of this day-long forum and exhibition in the above interview. She reflects upon some of the comments from San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and VTA’s CIO, Gary Miskell regarding some of the changes in thinking at Silicon Valley’s public transit agency.
Author’s Note:
It is heartening to see VTA looking at how they might decouple ownership of assets (e.g. buses) from its goals of ensuring mobility for all citizens of the County. It is also encouraging that they are looking at the practicality of putting an electric bus on train tracks, reducing the cost of electrification, as well as allowing for smaller-size, self-powered and, potentially, autonomous train cars that could provide needed frequency during off-peak times (see this article for an earlier reference to this idea http://viodi.com/2017/11/07/an-electrifying-people-mover-part-2/).
