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Pecan Street Inc. is evaluating the use of a private fleet of low-speed, six-person, electric shuttles for first- and last-mile transit connections in three Austin, Texas neighborhoods. The project aims to demonstrate the value of public-private partnerships in rapidly and cost-effectively increasing the usage of public transportation.

As of 2019, the Electric Last Mile Project has successfully tested the use of electric shuttles for eight months, providing a total of 29,206 rides. During the test period Pecan Street Inc. used surveys, individual interviews, community charrettes, and hardware installed on the vehicles to collect data on consumer engagement, vehicle performance, traffic impacts, and pricing structures. This data has resulted in a categorization chart that can be used by communities interested in using autonomous shuttles and public-private partnerships for first and last-mile transit solutions. The project also created a telematics kit that monitors vehicle operations and occupancy, a mobile trip request app and website, and laid the groundwork for future implementation of an autonomous shuttle.

The objective of this project, Logistics Decarbonization in Strategic Environmental Justice Areas (LODESTAR), seeks to demonstrate and document the innovative use case for independent contractors to adopt electric delivery vans that serve urban, suburban and rural environmental justice (EJ) areas and provide a holistic solution to distribution center electrification that incorporates electrification of both the freight and distribution activity. LODESTAR will uplift EJ and disadvantaged communities through the Last Mile Leadership (LML) scholarship program that will invest in students and businesses who wish to study or deploy clean transportation.