Jacksonville Drives into the Future: Self-Driving Shuttles Roll Out

Jacksonville Gears Up for Autonomous Transit

Jacksonville, Florida, is poised to become the first city nationwide where self-driving vehicles become a regular part of its transit system. The city is developing its Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) transit network. Construction is underway, with the first phase slated to launch in the summer of 2025. Passengers will initially use retrofitted Ford E-Transit cargo vans.

A rendering of a customized cargo van as a self-driving shuttle.

The project highlights the evolving state of autonomous vehicle technology in the United States. These initial shuttles utilize American-made vehicles. There’s a potential shift on the horizon. Holon, a global autonomous vehicle manufacturer, is considering Jacksonville for its first U.S. plant.

If built, this plant would allow the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and other transit agencies to purchase “American-made” autonomous vehicles specifically designed for passengers. However, the plant’s operation is planned subsequent to the initial U2C launch.

Gregory Crandell, Holon’s general manager in the United States, emphasized Jacksonville’s appeal at the second annual Autonomous Vehicle Day, co-hosted by JTA and Guident. He stated that Jacksonville is a “great place to be” and “welcoming for autonomous vehicles,” making it a good fit for Holon’s planned 15-passenger vehicles.

Jacksonville and the state of Florida are offering financial incentives to Holon to build a $100 million plant. The city has proposed $7.5 million in property tax rebates over ten years along with $200,000 in training grants. The state would offer an $8 million high-impact performance award and a capital investment tax credit.

The SunTrax facility in Auburndale, Florida, is a hub for testing automotive technology.

Even with the new plant, the U2C project is moving rapidly. The initial phase, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, is set to begin operations by mid-2025 to meet federal grant requirements.

The federal grant requires American-made vehicles, which led to JTA’s decision to modify Ford E-Transit cargo vans. JTA will install passenger seats and other features to transform the vans into passenger shuttles.

An illustration shows the interior of the customized vans, including passenger seating.

These electric vans will operate in regular traffic lanes. Renderings show the vehicles in a red and silver-grey color scheme, similar to JTA buses, and will feature the U2C logo. The vans will have side windows, charging ports, and individual, seatbelt-equipped seats. They will meet all the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, so disabled passengers will be able to ride them. The technology will also prevent the vehicles from moving until all passengers are seated and buckled.

Eduardo Rosa, senior vice president of operations for Beep, a company involved in the project, mentioned that these vans carry significant technology. Nat Ford, JTA CEO, said that these vehicles meet JTA’s requirements for launching service on the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, prioritizing safety, reliability, and functionality.

Lena Kleinschmidt of Holon speaks to attendees at an Autonomous Vehicle Day event.

Construction has commenced on a command center for the U2C system and will include 12 passenger stops.

Kevin Wishnacht of Balfour Beatty confirmed that the system would have full route cameras and full cell coverage to ensure seamless communication.

An operations and maintenance center for the autonomous shuttles is planned.

While the E-Transit vans meet advanced technology standards for autonomous operation, JTA plans to have attendants on board for the initial year. Holon’s autonomous shuttles feature a design fully optimized for passengers, including wraparound windows, seating for 10 with room for 5 standing passengers, and Level 4 autonomy. JTA is partnering with Florida State College at Jacksonville to train students for associated jobs.