ORLANDO, Fla. — Beep, an autonomous shuttle provider, will deploy the first self-driving shuttles at Yellowstone National Park with the National Parks Service (NPS) in May 2021. The pilot program will test multi-passenger, electric automated vehicle platforms for transportation while exploring Yellowstone, and marks another milestone moving the United States away from fossil fuels.
Beep will work in concert with both NPS Park Planning, Facilities and Lands Directorate, the Department of Transportation and Yellowstone National Park to plan, deploy and operate two autonomous shuttles in the Canyon Village. Exact shuttle stops, route locations and distance will be determined jointly between Beep and the NPS. According to a press release by Yellowstone National Park, the initiative is part of the Yellowstone Visitor Use Management Program, which is focused on testing a range of pilot projects around the park.
“This demonstration will help assess how emerging technologies can enhance the visitor experience while making the roads safer and less congested for everyone,” said Joe Moye, CEO of Beep.
The pilot will be supported and monitored by an onboard shuttle specialist, on the ground staff and Beep’s Global Command Center to ensure safe and reliable operation. Since launching in September 2019, Beep safely transported more than 16,000 passengers in its first year of operation on its initial route. The Beep shuttle pilot and service will include frequent cleaning procedures, modified seating capacity, onboard hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
Orlando, Fla.-based Beep is an autonomous shuttle company delivering mobility to fleet operators in planned communities and low speed environments across the public and private sector, including transportation hubs, medical and university campuses, town centers and more.
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