Announcement regarding Bear Tracks Pilot Project

June 15, 2023

After nearly one year, the Bear Tracks Connected and Automated Vehicle demonstration project in the City of White Bear Lake – known as Bear Tracks – has come to an end. Operations of the shuttle concluded because the shuttle manufacturer was purchased by another company and restructured. The restructuring resulted in a lack of technical support needed to operate the shuttle.

While Bear Tracks operations concluded prior to the planned end date, the pilot accomplished many of the project goals, including:

• Tested the technology in a real-world setting and a broad spectrum of weather conditions to ensure the technology is functional for Minnesotans.
• Provided growing awareness in the community about emerging transportation technologies.
• Exposed the workforce of tomorrow to future career opportunities.
• Ensured emerging technologies can meet a variety of community needs through inclusive planning.
• Gained insights on public perceptions of CAV technology and the impact exposure to the technology has on those perceptions.

Beyond the project goals, the cross-sector partnership which launched the Bear Tracks project is an exceptional model of collaborative work, which leveraged a wide range of perspectives to enhance project design. 

Bear Tracks partners would like to thank everyone who participated, whether it was attending an event, riding the shuttle or participating in research.  Additionally they would like to acknowledge the hard work of early supporters who brought the project to White Bear Lake.  Project partners will continue to work on documenting the learnings from the Bear Tracks pilot which will be shared in a final report later this year.