New Jersey issues RFEI for future Trenton MOVES on demand automated system

A Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) was issued by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) for the planned Trenton Mobility & Opportunity: Vehicles Equity System (MOVES) Project, which aims to deliver the first large-scale on-demand transit service using 100 self-driving shuttles to the 90,000 residents of Trenton, N.J.

“Since taking office, we have worked relentlessly towards making New Jersey the innovation center of America,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “There is perhaps no initiative that embodies this goal more than the Trenton MOVES project, which will attract tech talent from around the country and the world with the mission of creating an autonomous vehicle-based transit system in our capitol that will provide a new, affordable transportation solution for underserved areas of Trenton. This is an exciting project with immense potential and I look forward to the day that the first vehicle hits the road.”

The Trenton MOVES project is being developed by the Office of Governor Phil Murphy, NJDOT, the city of Trenton and Princeton University. The RFEI will gather information from firms in the design, build-out and operation of a safe and equitable automated vehicle transportation system.

A release from Gov. Murphy’s office says 70 percent of the households in Trenton have limited access to a single automobile or no access at all. The future service is being envisioned as low cost to users in underserved neighborhoods.

“Mobility is about equity and access to opportunity,” said NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “Trenton MOVES represents an opportunity to utilize innovation to sustainably improve the quality of life of the mobility-constrained in many of our cities. By starting in Trenton, we will have the opportunity to work with a close and effective partner; ultimately our vision is that this effort will ideally scale throughout the state and the region.”

Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora added, “Trenton MOVES means our residents can get to work on time without transfers or connections. It means state workers can explore restaurants and businesses throughout the entire city. It means more safe and equitable transportation options for everyone ranging from students involved in school activities to seniors going to their doctor appointments.”

Each autonomous shuttle would carry four to eight passengers. In-vehicle attendants would be present during the project’s initial launch with full deployment occurring after a detailed planning and testing phase.

The deadline for the RFEI response is Feb. 11, 2022. Following the solicitation of the RFEI, NJDOT may issue formal requests for Qualifications or Proposals. However, responses to the RFEI will not necessarily impact or be connected to any call for Proposals or Qualifications.