ST. CLOUD, Minn., June 22, 2020 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"),
one of the world's leading independent global bus manufacturers,
announced it will deploy North
America's first automated heavy-duty transit bus with the
Connecticut Department of Transportation ("CTDOT").
The automated driving demonstration project will include the
deployment of three forty-foot battery-electric, Xcelsior CHARGE™
heavy-duty transit buses. The zero-emission deployment supports
CTDOT's demonstration project, funded by the Federal Transit
Administration's ("FTA") Integrated Mobility Innovation ("IMI")
initiative, which supports projects demonstrating innovative and
effective practices to enhance public transportation effectiveness,
efficiency, quality, safety and transit rider experience.
This marks the first time an automated heavy-duty transit bus
will be deployed in revenue service in North America. The project team is led by the
CTDOT and consists of New Flyer, New Flyer's technology partner
Robotic Research, and the Center for Transportation and Environment
("CTE"), a nonprofit with extensive experience supporting FTA
projects.
"This is an incredible moment for the advancement of automated
technology in public transit, and for the continued development of
safe, smart, sustainable, and connected mobility across
North America," said Chris Stoddart, President, New Flyer. "For
decades, New Flyer has led the public transit industry with
innovative firsts. We are proud to work with CTDOT, Robotic
Research, and CTE – not only in demonstrating mobility solutions
for growing cities – but in showing the world that mitigating
climate change, improving safety, and advancing technology can
occur in harmony."
The project is focused on the successful demonstration of
automated technology on public roads, collection of relevant data
to inform future policymaking, and advancement of Advanced Driving
Assist System (ADAS) technology for enhanced safety. The
zero-emission electric buses will demonstrate Society of Automotive
Engineers ("SAE") J3016 Level 4 technology with an on-board safety
attendant to operate on the CTfastrak bus rapid transit corridor, a
dedicated nine-mile-long facility for exclusive use by CTtransit
buses.
New Flyer will integrate the Robotic Research automated driving
technology into the Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses, CTE will serve as
project manager and technical consultant for the program, and New
Flyer Infrastructure Solutions™ will support the installation and
integration of the electric bus charging equipment. Robotic
Research will supply, configure, and support the automated driving
systems integrated in the Xcelsior CHARGE™ buses.
The announcement follows New Flyer's May
2019 launch of an Automated Technology Program and
partnership with Maryland-based
Robotic Research. For nearly 20 years, Robotic Research has been a
leader in autonomous system development and deployment.
New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions™ is dedicated to providing
safe, reliable services for smart, sustainable mobility projects.
Its full-suite services include support, planning, optimization,
and transition to help ensure successful transition to
battery-electric mobility, while working closely with leading firms
including Siemens, ABB, ChargePoint, Burns & McDonnell and
Black & Veatch. For more information, visit
newflyer.com/infrastructuresolutions. To learn more about the FTA
IMI program, visit transit.dot.gov/imi. To learn more about Robotic
Research, visit roboticresearch.com.
New Flyer has been leading innovation in mobility for nearly 90
years, and today supports growing North American cities with
sustainable buses, technology, and infrastructure. It also operates
the Vehicle Innovation Center, the first and only innovation lab of
its kind dedicated to advancing bus technology and providing
essential workforce development through electric bus training. New
Flyer was the first bus manufacturer in the world to sign on to the
Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities, and is developing
automated bus technology to improve safety in public transit.
About NFI
With 9,000 team members operating from more than 50 facilities
across ten countries, NFI is a leading independent global bus
manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation
solutions under brands: New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit
buses), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses),
Plaxton (motor coaches), MCI® (motor coaches),
ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and
NFI Parts™. NFI buses and motor coaches incorporate the widest
range of drive systems available including: clean diesel, natural
gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and zero-emission electric (trolley,
battery, and fuel cell). In total, NFI now supports over
105,000 buses and coaches currently in service around the world.
NFI common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol NFI. News and information are available at
www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com,
www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com, and
www.nfi.parts.
About New Flyer
New Flyer is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the most advanced product
line under the Xcelsior® and Xcelsior CHARGE™ brands. It
also offers infrastructure development through New Flyer
Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe,
sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New
Flyer actively supports over 41,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New
Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in service, of which 7,300 are
powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,600 are
zero-emission. Further information is available at
www.newflyer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
relating to expected future events and financial and operating
results of NFI Group that involve risks and uncertainties. Although
the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions,
investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent
with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be
material. Actual results may differ materially from management
expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a
variety of reasons, including market and general economic
conditions; there is no production version of the prototype
automated bus described in this release and the prototype must be
tested, marketed and sold to customers; there may be no demand for
this type of automated bus from customers; the economic conditions
of and funding availability for customers to purchase this type of
automated bus may not exist, now or in the future; customers may
not exercise options to purchase additional buses; the ability of
customers to suspend or terminate contracts for convenience and the
other risks and uncertainties discussed in the materials filed with
the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Due to the potential impact of these
factors, the NFI Group disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless
required by applicable law.
SOURCE New Flyer of America Inc.