Glydways has officially broken ground on its first publicly accessible autonomous transit system in South Metro Atlanta, marking the company’s first public deployment of its fully autonomous, on-demand vehicles anywhere in the world. The demonstration pilot is scheduled to begin service in December 2026, offering free, 24/7 electric transit along a dedicated guideway.

The pilot will run along a 0.5-mile dedicated guideway, connecting the ATL SkyTrain at the Georgia International Convention Center to the Gateway Center Arena. The system will operate autonomous electric vehicles capable of carrying 4–6 passengers per vehicle, demonstrating reliability, scalability, and integration with existing transit networks.

“This pilot demonstrates how an innovative new form of public transit can expand access, improve reliability, and help cities move more people without expanding roads or relying on legacy systems,” said Chris Riley, Chief Commercial Officer of Glydways.

Addressing Congestion and Transit Challenges

Atlanta consistently ranks among the most congested cities in the United States, placing fifth nationally in traffic congestion studies. Commuters spend an average of 31 minutes traveling each day, with peak-hour delays adding significant time to daily travel. Public transit usage remains relatively low, with most trips made by car, highlighting the need for innovative mobility solutions.

The Glydways autonomous transit pilot targets gaps in connectivity, particularly in areas surrounding the airport and convention districts, offering a new form of high-capacity transit that complements existing services.

Pilot Timeline and Operations

Construction of the guideway is already underway, with public operations expected to begin in December 2026. The pilot represents the culmination of several years of planning, with the project tracing back to feasibility studies conducted in the Atlanta area since 2018. A feasibility study led by MARTA will evaluate the system’s performance and inform potential expansion across Fulton and Clayton counties.

The pilot is funded through a combination of public and private investment, with an estimated project cost of approximately $18 million, partially supported by the Atlanta Transportation Trust Fund.

How the System Works

Autonomous vehicles will run continuously along the dedicated guideway, separated from regular traffic. The electric vehicles are designed to operate reliably, integrating with existing transit networks to improve connectivity without increasing road congestion.

Local and Global Significance

The pilot is a collaboration between Glydways, ACS Infra, MARTA, and the Atlanta Airport Community Improvement Districts. Beyond Atlanta, Glydways has partnered with cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi to explore autonomous transit deployment, placing the Atlanta project within a broader global context.

“Cities everywhere are searching for solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and deliver better service for their communities,” Riley said. The Atlanta pilot positions the city as an early adopter and a reference point for future autonomous transit solutions worldwide.

From high-capacity underground rail in Los Angeles to on-demand autonomous systems in Atlanta, U.S. cities are testing diverse approaches to meet the challenges of 21st-century urban transit.

Project Factsheet: Glydways South Metro Atlanta Demonstration Pilot

Project overview

Location: South Metro Atlanta, Georgia

Announced: South Metro Development Outlook Conference

Status: Groundbreaking completed

Public opening: December 2026

Historic significance: World’s first publicly accessible, fully autonomous, on-demand Glydways transit system

System features

• Fully autonomous electric vehicles on dedicated guideways
• High-capacity, on-demand service (24/7)
• Zero-emission, sustainable transportation
• Faster and more cost-effective deployment vs. traditional transit
• Complements existing transit networks

Initial route

Corridor: Georgia International Convention Center (SkyTrain) to Gateway Center Arena

Length: 0.5 miles

Service: Free, on-demand public transportation (24/7)

Purpose: Real-world demonstration of reliability, scalability, and multimodal integration

Project Team – Glydways South Metro Atlanta Pilot

• Project Developer: Glydways – Autonomous transit system technology and operations
• Infrastructure Partner: ACS Infra – Guideway engineering and construction
• Transit Authority: MARTA – Feasibility study, integration, performance evaluation
• Local Coordination: Atlanta Airport Community Improvement Districts (AACIDs) – Regional planning and stakeholder engagement
• City Partner: City of College Park – Regulatory support and corridor facilitation
• County Partners: Fulton County & Clayton County – Infrastructure coordination and oversight

Global expansion

• Dubai: Partnership with Roads and Transport Authority for public transport and sustainability goals
• Abu Dhabi: Agreement with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (November 2025) to explore system deployment
• Other markets: Tokyo, Florida, California, New York, and major metropolitan areas