GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities (CR2C2) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University recently welcomed transportation experts from the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) for an in-depth site visit supporting the MATI Rural Autonomous-Vehicle Microtransit Partnership Project in Rockingham County.

The visit brought together academic researchers, community transit leaders, and national partners to explore how autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and microtransit planning can help address persistent transportation gaps in rural communities. CNT representatives Molly Wagner, AICP and Peter Haas traveled to North Carolina to participate in a full-day agenda designed to strengthen collaboration and inform next-phase project planning.

The day began in Reidsville, North Carolina, with a project welcome and overview, followed by a working briefing led by Aging Disability & Transportation Services of Rockingham County (ADTS). ADTS leaders Cathy Powers and Meggan Odell shared on-the-ground insight into Rockingham County’s current transportation landscape, including existing transit services, unmet travel needs, and mobility barriers faced by residents. 

Following the morning briefing, the team participated in a regional driving tour across key areas of Rockingham County. The tour included stops in Wentworth, the county seat, and Eden, a proposed pilot route location for the autonomous microtransit initiative. The objective of the tour was to observe potential trip generators, transit stop locations, and opportunities for future AV or microtransit deployment. 

After reconvening at NC A&T’s North Campus, project partners engaged in one of the day’s most anticipated experiences: an autonomous vehicle technology demonstration featuring the AGGIEAUTO shuttle, CR2C2’s research-driven autonomous transit vehicle. 

For many participants, the demonstration represented more than an exciting glimpse into emerging transportation technology—it served as a tangible example of how university research can translate into real-world mobility solutions. Attendees had the opportunity to ride in the fully autonomous shuttle developed by Dr. Ali Karimoddini’s research team, making the group among the first to experience the vehicle operating in a fully driverless mode with enhanced safety systems and robust remote fallback capabilities.

The AV demonstration was supported by members of Dr. Karimoddini’s team, who provided technical insight into how the vehicle operates, how safety mechanisms are tested, and how remote oversight plays a critical role in AV readiness for public deployment.

The site visit concluded with a collaborative working session led by CR2C2 leadership to review early project progress and map out next steps. The team discussed preliminary survey findings and community engagement insights collected by researchers, including work led by Meray Abdelmalak and Dr. Venktesh Pandey, as well as Phase 2 planning priorities moving into 2026. 

According to CR2C2, visits like these are essential for ensuring that innovation is aligned with real community needs. By combining national expertise from CNT, local service insights from ADTS, and applied research from NC A&T, the project continues to build a foundation for scalable autonomous microtransit solutions designed specifically for rural regions.

CR2C2 expressed appreciation to CNT, ADTS, and collaborating university partners—including North Carolina State University and Clemson University—for their continued partnership and shared commitment to improving rural mobility outcomes.

As the MATI Rural Autonomous-Vehicle Microtransit Partnership Project advances into its next phase, CR2C2 plans to continue strengthening stakeholder engagement, expanding community input, and supporting research that moves autonomous transportation closer to safe and effective deployment in Rockingham County.