Autonomous vehicle program receives ITSNJ Outstanding Project Award for Local Public Agency Design

November 2, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Intelligent Transportation Society of New Jersey (ITSNJ) awarded the City of Trenton with the ITSNJ 2022 Outstanding Project or Program in the Local Public Agency Design category for the City’s “Trenton Mobility and Opportunity: Vehicles Equity System (MOVES)” project.

Trenton MOVES is the result of a successful partnership between The City, Princeton University, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and the Office of the Governor; it seeks to expand affordable and efficient transportation options for those living and working in the Capital City through the strategic deployment of autonomous electric vehicles (A-EVs).

Trenton MOVES is on track to be the nation’s first autonomous vehicle-based urban transit system and is the recipient of a $5 million NJDOT grant from the Local Transportation Project Fund.

Dr. Alain Kornhauser, Professor of Operations Research and Financial Engineering and Director of the Program in Transportation at Princeton University, has provided technical support to government stakeholders.

“The Capital City has an opportunity to make transportation history with Trenton MOVES,” Dr. Kornhauser said. “This award should signal additional investment into Trenton that will support community and economic revitalization.”

In Trenton, over 70% of households have only one car — or no car at all. Given the current local, county, and state public transportation infrastructure, moving throughout the City can be difficult (for public transport users) and/or expensive (for ride-sharing program users). Access to cost-effective and efficient transportation options can expand employment opportunities, increase the volume of commercial transactions, and improve health outcomes.

As an organization, ITSNJ is committed to fostering innovation in safe, smart, and sustainable transportation to improve the quality of life for residents throughout New Jersey.

“Trenton MOVES embodies the vision of ITSNJ,” said ITSNJ President Andrew Tunnard (pictured on the right in photo above). “The Capital City recognizes that economic and health outcomes are connected to transportation access, so the Mayor is working with intergovernmental partners to improve the quality of life for residents through transportation innovation.”

Given the City of Trenton’s large number of tax-exempt properties, there is insufficient capital to finance a public ridesharing program; however, a public-private partnership will allow the City to provide long-term sustainability for the project.

“This award recognizes our administration’s goal of improving the lives of Trentonians through an innovative and collaborative transportation initiative,” Mayor W. Reed Gusciora said. “Trenton moves and the world approves.”

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