Stantec takes part in the first autonomous electric shuttle pilot project in Montreal

Global design firm Stantec is contributing to the evolution of mobility by performing the engineering work for the first autonomous electric shuttle pilot project in the City of Montreal. The shuttles, which are the first self-driving vehicles on urban public roads in Quebec, begin operating today, June 27. The pilot project will serve for planning purposes and to determine the technology’s potential for sustainable public transit in Montreal.

The driverless shuttle buses, which can accommodate up to 12 passengers, will run along a 1.4-km route between Montreal’s Maisonneuve Market and the Olympic Stadium. The shuttles will operate for six weeks, free of charge. The vehicles will stop at all intersections and will be able to detect obstacles using GPS, cameras, and LIDAR. While the shuttles are autonomous, an operator will be on board to intervene if needed.

For this innovative project, Stantec provided the City of Montreal with technical assistance on intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Stantec performed all engineering work required to make the shuttle service safe and standard-compliant, including route analysis and optimization, design validation for vehicle-infrastructure communications, and installation of temporary traffic lights.

“This is an important step in the evolution of mobility,” says Martin Thibault, Stantec’s vice president of transportation in the province of Quebec. “We are proud to have applied our engineering and ITS expertise to improving transportation for Montrealers, in a safe and reliable environment. Our team is excited to be part of the innovations that will transform transportation in Quebec and around the world.”

Stantec has been a leader in the smart mobility space, having launched and worked on early autonomous and connected vehicle testbeds – Active-Aurora in Edmonton, AB, and the CAVTEC Edge Computing Test Bed in Tullahoma, TN. Stantec was the first firm to bring an autonomous vehicle to North America through the GoMentum Station testbed in Concord, CA. The firm’s smart mobility team has also engaged in feasibility studies and autonomous transit shuttle planning and pilots across North America.

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe. Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.

Media Contact

Rachel Sa
Stantec Media Relations
Phone: (416) 598-5699
Cell: (416) 902-0930
rachel.sa@stantec.com

Rébecka Fortin
Communications Lead, Quebec
Phone: (514) 281-1033, ext. 2280
Cell: (514) 659-3849
rebecka.fortin@stantec.com