The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has selected the Balfour Beatty Vision 2 Reality (V2R) Team and lead AV contractor Beep, a developer of multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions, to deliver Phase I of the city’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) project, on the Bay Street Innovation Corridor in Downtown Jacksonville.
“We are honored that the Jacksonville Transportation Authority has placed its trust in Beep and the V2R Team to deliver the nation’s largest-ever autonomous shuttle project to enhance mobility-for-all in the downtown area,” said Joe Moye, CEO, Beep.
“Phase I of the U2C builds upon our successful partnership to safely test autonomous vehicles and build passenger and community trust in these transformative transportation solutions. We look forward to leveraging our experience as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s AV test program to positively impact safety and sustainability with this strategic program. JTA’s U2C project will transform the City of Jacksonville and provide its residents with enhanced mobility options intended to activate the community and make transportation safer.”
The Bay Street Innovation Corridor is an approximately three-mile, at-grade autonomous vehicle transportation solution that will run along East Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville, from Hogan Street to the city’s sports and entertainment district. The project is supported by a US$12.5m million grant from the US Department of Transportation, funding from the Florida Department of Transportation, North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, and local funds. Phase II of the U2C program includes a full conversion of the JTA’s elevated Skyway APM system. Phase III will expand street level extensions into neighboring communities to connect Downtown Jacksonville to nearby neighborhoods.