Jacksonville Set to Pioneer Self-Driving Public Transportation
Jacksonville, Florida, is poised to become the first city in the nation to integrate self-driving vehicles into its public transit system as a daily fixture. Construction is already underway, with plans for the first phase of self-driving shuttles to begin operating in the summer of 2025.
Initially, these autonomous vehicles will be converted Ford E-Transit cargo vans. This approach highlights the evolving state of the autonomous vehicle industry within the United States.
However, the opportunity to source the latest technology with “American-made” vehicles could be on the horizon. Holon, a global manufacturer of autonomous vehicles, is considering Jacksonville for its first U.S. plant.
If Holon establishes a manufacturing plant, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and other transit agencies could purchase autonomous vehicles specifically designed for passenger transport. This plant, however, would not be operational until after the initial phase of JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) project is launched in downtown Jacksonville.
Speaking at the second annual Autonomous Vehicle Day, co-hosted by JTA and Guident, Gregory Crandell, the General Manager for Holon in the United States, indicated Jacksonville’s suitability for the 15-passenger vehicles Holon intends to produce at the potential manufacturing facility.
Crandell noted that Holon has also evaluated other cities where its parent company, Benteler, already has automotive parts operations. “But as I can see from working with the city of Jacksonville and also with JTA, and with us being here today, Jacksonville’s a great place to be, I think,” he said, adding, “Plus, the city seems very welcoming for autonomous vehicles.”
Incentives Offered to Attract Holon Plant
To encourage Holon’s investment, both the state and the city of Jacksonville are offering financial incentives for the construction of a $100 million plant. The city’s incentives, outlined in legislation filed with the City Council, include $7.5 million in property tax rebates over a decade and $200,000 in training grants for up to 200 employees, under a project code-named “Project Link.” The state’s incentives include an $8 million high-impact performance award and a capital investment tax credit that covers 100% of the company’s state corporate tax liability.
A manufacturing facility in Jacksonville would also enhance the state’s growing involvement in the autonomous vehicle sector. In June 2023, the state’s Department of Transportation opened the $150 million SunTrax center in Auburndale for testing automotive technology. ERNST PETERS/THE LEDGER
Even if Holon establishes its plant, operations aren’t expected to begin until the end of 2026. The JTA is on track to start operating the shuttles on Bay Street by mid-2025, meeting the deadline for a $12.5 million federal grant. This grant is funding a portion of the $65 million loop, which is the initial phase of the U2C project.
Ford E-Transit Vans to be Modified for U2C
The federal grant mandates the use of American-made vehicles, which steered the JTA toward using Ford E-Transit cargo vans.
To meet the requirements, JTA will retrofit the vans with passenger seats and autonomous vehicle technology. These battery-powered vans will operate in regular traffic lanes along a three-mile route known as the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, connecting downtown’s office district with the sports complex. The vehicles, based on renderings, will be painted red and silver-grey, mirroring the current color scheme of JTA buses and will feature the U2C logo.
Seating around the vehicle’s interior perimeter along with charging ports and side windows will be installed for the passengers’ comfort. The vehicles will conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act, providing accessibility for all passengers. Before the vehicles move from a stop, technology will ensure all passengers are seated and secured.
“So it’s not only about a cargo van that’s being upfitted,” said Eduardo Rosa, senior vice president of operations for Beep, one of the companies partnering with JTA. “It’s carrying a lot of technology and we are trying to make this as close to a real passenger van as possible.”
JTA CEO Nat Ford emphasized the vans’ suitability for the mid-2025 launch on the Bay Street Innovation Corridor. “It’s about mobility and it’s about functionality, reliability and safety,” Ford said. “We want to have a vehicle that’s safe. That’s the number one priority, and it allows us to use autonomous technology to move people.”
Command Center and Future Plans for U2C
Construction has also begun on a command center for the U2C system. Alongside this, the initial loop along Bay Street involves the construction of 12 passenger stops and the installation of a network to communicate with the sensors and cameras on the autonomous vehicles. “We’re going to have cameras watching the full route,” said Kevin Wishnacht of Balfour Beatty, the company building the system. “We’re going to have cell coverage for the whole route to ensure the vehicles have no delay in receiving signals.”
The modified E-Transit vans will use technology that may allow for driverless operation. However, for the initial year, JTA will have attendants on board. Officials from JTA will assess the success of Project Link. In contrast to the retrofitted Ford E-Transit vans, Holon shuttles would be specifically designed for passengers, offering wraparound windows and seating for 10, with space for five standing passengers. These vehicles could reach speeds up to 37 mph and have level 4 autonomous vehicle technology.
JTA board Chairwoman Debbie Buckland said that the agency’s partnership with Florida State College at Jacksonville is already training students for autonomous vehicle industry jobs, “and with a little luck, those jobs will right here in our city.”
