Utah Autonomous Shuttle Program
Introducing Utah to Automated Transit
Horrocks provided public engagement support for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) Automated Shuttle Pilot, which introduced Utah’s first fully automated vehicle to communities throughout the state. Deployed from 2019 to 2020, the all-electric shuttle operated without a driver, steering wheel, or pedals and was tested at several locations to evaluate its reliability and potential to connect people to and from transit.
Because public understanding and trust are critical to the future of automated transportation, the pilot allowed Utahns to experience the technology firsthand and provide feedback about their perceptions. During the 15-month pilot, the shuttle carried more than 6,700 riders and traveled nearly 1,350 miles.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Horrocks supported a statewide public education and outreach program focused on explaining how the automated shuttle operated and communicating its potential safety, mobility, accessibility, and transit benefits. Services included key message development, deployment-site and stakeholder coordination, website content, media outreach, social media, public-facing materials, and event support.
As the shuttle traveled to locations throughout Utah, Horrocks tailored communications to promote each deployment, share schedules and route information, respond to public questions, and encourage participation. Outreach and rider feedback helped UDOT and UTA evaluate public attitudes toward automated vehicle technology and inform potential future deployments.
