UDOT makes safety upgrades after autonomous shuttle accident injures man in Salt Lake City
Jul 19, 2019, 12:17 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Transportation says it has made some safety upgrades on autonomous shuttles after a passenger was hurt during a demonstration in Salt Lake City.
The man had to be treated for facial injuries after he was thrown from his seat when the shuttle short stopped Tuesday at a government complex on 1950 West and North Temple.
Investigators do not know what one of the sensors picked up that caused the short stop.
UDOT spokesman John Gleason says that accident prompted them to change a few things.
“We’ve lowered the top speed of the shuttle from 12 mph to 9 mph. Also, we have our host warning passengers that there may be frequent stops and they could be sudden,” Gleason says.
UDOT insists the shuttles are safe, and there are no plans to discontinue the demonstrations.
