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Transcript/Script: LogOn: Autonomous Shuttle Skeptic (TV R)
HEADLINE: Ready for the Road? Transportation Experts Ride Self-Driving Shuttle
TEASER: Two self-driving car believers and one skeptic take a ride on a mostly autonomous shuttle
PUBLISHED AT: 2/22/2022: 8:10AM
BYLINE: Shelley Schlender
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Golden, Colorado
VIDEOGRAPHER: Shelley Schlender
PRODUCER: Shelley Schlender
SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): ALL VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 1:57
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: )) [[Operator Ed did not want us to use his last name. --AmyrR]]
((INTRO))
[[Self-driving vehicles may someday make transportation safer and less expensive, but they’re not doing so yet. To check out how it’s coming along, a skeptical transportation scientist recently joined two other experts for a ride on a mostly autonomous shuttle. Shelley Schlender reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
These little buses in Golden, Colorado, are Golden Rovers. Rovers have no steering wheel. They drive pre-programmed routes on a college campus and public streets, carrying up to six passengers.
[[FOR RADIO: Today the Golden Rovers will carry three special passengers.]]
((NARRATOR))
These transportation experts are about to take a ride on a Rover.
(NARRATOR))
Amy Ford has helped Colorado craft self-driving regulations. Some self-driving technology is already in cars, she says.
((00:21:12 Amy Ford Head shot))
((Amy Ford, Transportation Expert))
“My adaptive cruise control and my lane keeping.”
((NARRATOR))
Tyler Svitak ((TIE-ler SWEEdok)) spearheaded this self-driving shuttle project.
((Tyler Svitak, Colorado Smart Cities Alliance))
“I think we will see driverless, truly driverless transit operations this decade.”
((NARRATOR))
Transportation scientist Wes Marshall is more skeptical.
((Wes Marshall, University of Colorado Denver))
“Five years ago, everyone said we’re going to be fully autonomous five years from now, and we’re not.”
((BROLL 00:41:02 Shuttle driving past Marshall and Switak))
((Wes Marshall))
“I would maybe just prioritize sidewalks and bike lanes.”
[[FOR RADIO: The three transportation experts take their seats. ]]
((NARRATOR))
The shuttle IS self-driving … mostly …
[[FOR RADIO: Standing in the little Rover is a college student … ]]
((Ed, Shuttle Operator))
“My name is Ed, and I’m an operator here.”
((NARRATOR))
The shuttle itself decides when to stop and where to go. Operator Ed tells it when to go.
[[FOR RADIO: Operator Ed points to a stop sign. ]]
((Ed, Shuttle Operator))
“It’s at a stop sign, and it’s still waiting, so I just have to press this button and tell it to go.”
((NATS: DING DING DING!!!))
((NARRATOR))
Wes Marshall says the shuttle’s 20-kilometer-an-hour speed annoys human drivers.
((Wes Marshall, University of Colorado Denver))
“You can see all the cars backing up behind us and getting a little frustrated.”
((NARRATOR))
Suddenly the shuttle stops.
((NATS: CLANG WHUMP SOUNDS))
[[FOR RADIO: The Rover decided on its own to make this stop, and it’s so fast, everyone lurches, except for Operator Ed. ]]
((NAT: Ed, Shuttle Operator))
“So that was an E-stop.”
[[FOR RADIO: Operator Ed explains that … ]]
((NARRATOR))
On its own, the shuttle made an emergency stop avoiding a careless driver.
[[FOR RADIO: Transportation expert Amy Ford says the Rover made the right decision.]]
((Amy Ford, Transportation Expert))
“It’s seeing a car who sort of slips over the lane in a roundabout.”
((NARRATOR))
To make the shuttle go again, Operator Ed pushes a button.
((DING!))
((NARRATOR))
None of these experts say the shuttle is ready to drive all by itself.
((NARRATOR))
But even self-driving skeptic Wes Marshall wants projects like the Rover to keep trying.
((Wes Marshall, University of Colorado Denver))
“If it stops here … it’s not going to be that useful to people.”
[[FOR RADIO: Amy Ford nods her head … ]]
((Amy Ford, Transportation Expert))
“State of the art today, and then it will continue to grow.”
((NARRATOR))
And so for now, this semi-self-driving shuttle will continue gathering data about how to get better, steps toward a true autonomous driving future.
((Shelley Schlender for VOA News, Golden, Colorado))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Golden, Colorado
Embargo DateFebruary 22, 2022 17:59 EST
BylineShelley Schlender
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
