The Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission has voted to further its explorations into developing an automated transit network at Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) International Airport in South Carolina.
Following this vote, GSP Airport will explore how autonomous vehicles can be deployed to efficiently shuttle passengers between the airport’s parking and terminal facilities.
This project builds on GSP’s 2015 study on alternatives to gasoline-powered airport shuttle buses, which was expanded in 2016 to include the feasibility of offering on-demand automated vehicles. The airport will now further these investigations by studying how a system of electric autonomous vehicles and dedicated roadways can be fully implemented at GSP.
Dave Edwards, president and CEO for the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District said:At GSP we are always looking for cutting-edge technology that makes the airport experience more safe, efficient, sustainable, and affordable. We think the future for all-electric automated group rapid transit vehicles in the airport environment is very bright and we look forward to further investigating applications for GSP.
The programme will take place under a Project Development Agreement with Plenary Americas US Holdings Inc.
Under the agreement, Plenary Americas US Holdings will plan and design the project and will inform the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission about the regulatory, procurement, commercial, technical and financial aspects of the initiative.
This process is expected to take 18 months, and the Commission will then decide whether to move forward with implementing the automated transit network.
