NCDOT: CASSI - Frequently Asked Questions

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How long will the shuttle be tested at Wright Brothers National Memorial?
The shuttle will be tested from April 20 through July 14, 2021. It will operate Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where will the shuttle stop within the park?
The shuttle will pick up and drop off passengers at the visitor center parking lot and the First Flight bronze sculpture. Due to the projected demand of the shuttle, passengers will be required to disembark the shuttle at each stop (no continuous round trip, unless nobody is waiting to board). It is expected that most passengers will start their trips at the visitor center parking lot.
Is there a driver?
As an autonomous vehicle, the CASSI shuttle does not have a driver or feature a traditional steering wheel or manual brakes. The vehicle will, however, have a customer service operator on board to take control of the vehicle, if it becomes necessary. This operator also can answer questions and provide information about CASSI.
Is CASSI safe?
Yes. Numerous sensors are continuously scanning the shuttle's surroundings and signaling for it to stop when an obstacle is too close. Also, the shuttle is monitored by an on-board customer service operator who can manually stop the vehicle at any time.
How much does it cost to ride CASSI?
During the pilot deployments, there is no cost to ride CASSI.
How many passengers can CASSI accommodate?
The shuttle can seat five people from one household and the operator. It can seat three people from different households and the operator. These numbers were adjusted to comply with COVID safety recommendations.
Will passengers be required to wear masks on the shuttle?
If a federal mask-wearing requirement on federal land is in place during the three-month pilot, then masks will be required on the shuttle.
Is the CASSI wheelchair-accessible?
Yes. The CASSI is equipped with an automatic wheelchair ramp.
Where will CASSI operate?
The shuttle may only drive in pre-designated locations on approved sites. Currently, the CASSI is in operation at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The shuttle may only operate on lower speed roadways (both public and private), not on highways. It is a transportation option designed to transport passengers throughout communities, campuses and parks, and is also a potential first/last mile solution.
Why does CASSI travel so slowly?
Safety is always the top priority, and maximum speeds are limited by current technology, roadway configurations and other factors. As technology improves, speed will as well.
Are dogs allowed on board?
Only approved service animals are permitted on the CASSI.
If the pilot is successful, what are the next steps?
This pilot will be used to help inform the National Park Service next steps and give us a better sense of what’s needed at the park and how an automated shuttle might complement the park’s recently amended General Management Plan. That said, the National Park Service is very early in this process, and don’t have enough data yet to determine how it will use this technology moving forward.
How many autonomous vehicles have been tested at NPS units?
Wright Brothers National Memorial is the first National Park Service site in the nation to host an autonomous vehicle pilot initiative. A similar pilot will occur at Yellowstone National Park this summer. The National Park Service is particularly excited about the possibility of building upon the Wright brothers’ legacy of transportation innovation through this first-of-its-kind demonstration and through a successful partnership with NCDOT.
How is this project being funded?
The funding for this pilot is being provided through transportation dollars as part of the Federal Lands Transportation Program and the National Park Service partnership with the Federal Highway Administration. It will help inform the National Park Service’s considerations for any future developments at other parks.

2/7/2020 11:11 AM