Orlando, theme park capital of the world, could become one of the first cities in the world where driverless vehicles become standard. We looked at their testing and deployment plans
By Alice Davis | Published in Attractions Management 2017 issue 2
The technology is here. All Tesla cars are equipped with self-driving capability / PHOTOS: TESLA
Self-driving cars look set to become a part of life, offering many advantages over the traditional automobile. Automated Vehicles (AVs) represent a complete rethink of the way we’ll get around.
Research shows that AVs could drastically reduce the number of traffic collisions, improve traffic flow and ease congestion, make more efficient use of fuel or energy, facilitate journey-sharing and increase mobility among the public, and reduce the need for parking spaces, traffic police, and insurance.
Imagine a family getting picked up from Orlando International Airport in an AV that looks like Tow Mater from Cars and taken directly to their Disney resort hotel. It’s not a stretch to think the AV might be able to recognise the family and know exactly what time they’d be ready to be collected.
But the technology is still new and needs to be thoroughly tested. So where better to create an AV testing hub than the pioneering city of Orlando, Florida? The city already has a $13bn (£10bn, €11.8bn) tech industry, leading the way in sectors like aviation, aerospace and IT, not to mention its theme park industry, often a testing ground for visionary new technologies.
The US Department of Transport (USDOT) selected the City of Orlando to pilot this new technology, making Central Florida one of the US’s most important centres for research and development of AV technology, including cars, buses, and other vehicles.
The long-term programme will involve the simulation testing and closed-track testing, before introducing public transport testing such as autonomous city buses.
Testing partners To facilitate testing, the City of Orlando has teamed up with academic and private sector agencies – including the University of Central Florida, Florida Polytechnic University and NASA Kennedy Space Center – to form the Central Florida AV Partnership.
Plans focus on two testing tracks. The first is a proposal for a 2.25-mile (3.6km) multi-lane track designed to test AVs at high speeds, a partnership between Florida Department of Transport and Florida Polytechnic University. Dubbed SunTrax, it will be located in Polk County and aims to recreate realistic city situations to test how AVs interact with other vehicles, bicycles and people. The $51m (£39m, €46m) test track is expected to open in late 2018.
The second testing centre is at NASA Kennedy Space Center, where researchers will test how AVs perform in extreme weather and unpredictable situations. The centre has an environment chamber specially designed for testing AV software and hardware in such conditions.
Following on from that, AVs can then be deployed on specifically chosen roads and public transit routes. Investment in the I-4 highway – the I-4 Ultimate project – will help facilitate real-world testing.
Central Florida is one of 10 AV Proving Grounds designated by USDOT, with others in Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, California and Iowa.
“The 10 proving grounds will collectively form a Community of Practice around safe testing and deployment,” says Anthony Foxx, former USDOT secretary under the Obama administration. “They will openly share best practices for the safe conduct of testing and operations as they are developed, enabling the participants and the public to learn at a faster rate and accelerating the pace of safe deployment.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 2
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is working on a magical destination resort in Hunan Province, China.
Founders Natasha Varnica and Dan Thomas walk us through the fairytale experience
Science centres: Sparks Fly
The Wolf Museum of Exploration +
Innovation (MOXI) is a brand new science
centre in Santa Barbara, with a refreshing
approach. CEO Steve Hinkley tells all
Theme parks: Speed Demons
PortAventura’s COO Mark Robinson on the
company’s latest investment – Ferrari Land
Promotional feature: Simworx
UK-based attractions manufacturer Simworx is building on its global
portfolio with a range of new projects in Dubai, China and Spain
Attractions: That’s the Spirit
Jameson’s visitor experience centre has
been revamped by BRC Imagination
Arts. Tom Anstey went to Dublin and
talked to the team about the project
Promotional feature: FORREC
FORREC has worked with some of the world’s
most recognisable characters and IPs. Here Steven Rhys
shares some tips on bringing those cherished worlds to life
Orlando, theme park capital of the world, could become one of the first cities in the world where driverless vehicles become standard. We looked at their testing and deployment plans
By Alice Davis | Published in Attractions Management 2017 issue 2
The technology is here. All Tesla cars are equipped with self-driving capability / PHOTOS: TESLA
Self-driving cars look set to become a part of life, offering many advantages over the traditional automobile. Automated Vehicles (AVs) represent a complete rethink of the way we’ll get around.
Research shows that AVs could drastically reduce the number of traffic collisions, improve traffic flow and ease congestion, make more efficient use of fuel or energy, facilitate journey-sharing and increase mobility among the public, and reduce the need for parking spaces, traffic police, and insurance.
Imagine a family getting picked up from Orlando International Airport in an AV that looks like Tow Mater from Cars and taken directly to their Disney resort hotel. It’s not a stretch to think the AV might be able to recognise the family and know exactly what time they’d be ready to be collected.
But the technology is still new and needs to be thoroughly tested. So where better to create an AV testing hub than the pioneering city of Orlando, Florida? The city already has a $13bn (£10bn, €11.8bn) tech industry, leading the way in sectors like aviation, aerospace and IT, not to mention its theme park industry, often a testing ground for visionary new technologies.
The US Department of Transport (USDOT) selected the City of Orlando to pilot this new technology, making Central Florida one of the US’s most important centres for research and development of AV technology, including cars, buses, and other vehicles.
The long-term programme will involve the simulation testing and closed-track testing, before introducing public transport testing such as autonomous city buses.
Testing partners To facilitate testing, the City of Orlando has teamed up with academic and private sector agencies – including the University of Central Florida, Florida Polytechnic University and NASA Kennedy Space Center – to form the Central Florida AV Partnership.
Plans focus on two testing tracks. The first is a proposal for a 2.25-mile (3.6km) multi-lane track designed to test AVs at high speeds, a partnership between Florida Department of Transport and Florida Polytechnic University. Dubbed SunTrax, it will be located in Polk County and aims to recreate realistic city situations to test how AVs interact with other vehicles, bicycles and people. The $51m (£39m, €46m) test track is expected to open in late 2018.
The second testing centre is at NASA Kennedy Space Center, where researchers will test how AVs perform in extreme weather and unpredictable situations. The centre has an environment chamber specially designed for testing AV software and hardware in such conditions.
Following on from that, AVs can then be deployed on specifically chosen roads and public transit routes. Investment in the I-4 highway – the I-4 Ultimate project – will help facilitate real-world testing.
Central Florida is one of 10 AV Proving Grounds designated by USDOT, with others in Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, California and Iowa.
“The 10 proving grounds will collectively form a Community of Practice around safe testing and deployment,” says Anthony Foxx, former USDOT secretary under the Obama administration. “They will openly share best practices for the safe conduct of testing and operations as they are developed, enabling the participants and the public to learn at a faster rate and accelerating the pace of safe deployment.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 2
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is working on a magical destination resort in Hunan Province, China.
Founders Natasha Varnica and Dan Thomas walk us through the fairytale experience
Science centres: Sparks Fly
The Wolf Museum of Exploration +
Innovation (MOXI) is a brand new science
centre in Santa Barbara, with a refreshing
approach. CEO Steve Hinkley tells all
Theme parks: Speed Demons
PortAventura’s COO Mark Robinson on the
company’s latest investment – Ferrari Land
Promotional feature: Simworx
UK-based attractions manufacturer Simworx is building on its global
portfolio with a range of new projects in Dubai, China and Spain
Attractions: That’s the Spirit
Jameson’s visitor experience centre has
been revamped by BRC Imagination
Arts. Tom Anstey went to Dublin and
talked to the team about the project
Promotional feature: FORREC
FORREC has worked with some of the world’s
most recognisable characters and IPs. Here Steven Rhys
shares some tips on bringing those cherished worlds to life
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
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