THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Tuesday it will tie up with a US mobility company to test low-speed autonomous vehicles within New Clark City in time for the Southeast Asian Games.
“As the first smart and green city in the Philippines, New Clark City will adopt sustainable alternative modes of transportation that may eventually reduce people’s dependence on cars,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon said in a statement.
BCDA, which identified the US company as Coast Autonomous, said the partnership will come at no cost to the government. The two hope to sign a memorandum of agreement for pilot testing by August.
“The city will have better accessibility with streets that are biker and pedestrian-friendly,” Mr. Dizon said.
The self-driving vehicles are to provide transportation services for the athletes during the regional games, which open in late November. Three electric Coast P-1 shuttles are set to arrive in mid-October for pilot testing.
Each shuttle can accommodate up to 20 passengers and will transport athletes to and from the Athletes’ Village, the Athletics Stadium and the Aquatics Center, BCDA said. Shuttle services will also be offered to the public during the games.
The agency quoted David Hickey, Coast Autonomous chairman and chief executive officer, as saying: “It is a great honor to partner with BCDA and the Philippines to deploy a fleet of [shuttles] to New Clark City for the SEA Games and we are grateful for this incredible opportunity. The SEA Games is the perfect event and New Clark City, the ideal location to showcase the future of urban transportation.”
His company will use high-definition, 3D mapping machines for the shuttles’ route.
Mr. Hickey said electric and self-driving shuttles are “the natural successors to the streetcar” and can be the backbone of a new, clean and more efficient streetcar system.
BCDA said New Clark City “will serve as the main sports hub for this year’s SEA Games as the new and modern sports facilities are almost complete. These include the 20,000-seat Athletics Stadium, 2,000-seat Aquatics Center, and an Athletes Village that will provide housing and training facilities for the athletes, as well as SEA Games officials and volunteers. Central to these facilities is the 1.4-kilometer River Park Corridor that will have recreational spots for community activities.”
It added that of the 543 sporting events to be hosted during the games, more than 200 events will be held in Clark. — Victor V. Saulon
