In 2021, the Regional Municipality of Durham, in partnership with various stakeholders, launched the WAVE Automated Shuttle Demonstration Project. This innovative initiative featured a 6km route with 10 stops, operating in mixed traffic, and connecting the Whitby GO Station to the Whitby waterfront. After more than two years of planning, testing, and developing new hardware and software, the shuttle began passenger service in November 2021.

Tragically, on December 16th, 2021, while operating in manual mode, the shuttle collided with a tree as it was returning to its charging station at the end of the day. Although no passengers were on board, the vehicle attendant sustained injuries in the incident. Despite this setback, the project provided valuable insights and lessons that will be shared with attendees, offering a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities in deploying autonomous transit solutions.