The Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) is a program to introduce autonomous vehicles (AVs) into the JTA’s transportation system. The U2C will extend reach within the urban core and into adjacent neighborhoods to support the vision of a vibrant, revitalized and better-connected Downtown Jacksonville.
See the testing of the autonomous vehicle in action:
Learn more about U2C in the video below:
Our goal is to provide compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centered around access to JTA’s multi-modal transit options. This makes it possible to live a lower-stress life without complete dependence on a car for mobility. The ability to inter-connect micro-mobility and transit options to your desired destinations within Jacksonville improves our health, economy and environment.
The Bay Street Innovation Corridor (BSIC) project will introduce Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), initially operating in approximately three miles of mixed traffic in curbside lanes along Bay Street from Pearl Street to EverBank Stadium, extending west to east through the Jacksonville Urban Core.
Bay Street is a critical artery connecting residential areas, through the urban business core to the entertainment and sports district on the east edge of Downtown Jacksonville. Along the route, AVs will make stops at designated locations to allow passengers to enter and exit the AVs as needed. Later phases of the U2C program are also expected to utilize interoperable technology to deliver an integrated AV network connection in Downtown Jacksonville and surrounding neighborhoods.
The BSIC project was procured using a Progressive Project Delivery Agreement which includes the procurement of autonomous vehicles, and the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Bay Street Innovation Corridor. There are four major phases of the delivery of this project:
Phase 1A: Delivery of 30% Plans (Completed)
Phase 1B: Delivery of 60% Plans (Completed)
Phase II: Pre-Construction (March 2024); Construction Commencement (May 2024)
Phase III: Operation and Maintenance of BSIC Commencement (June 2025)
Phase 2, which will be funded through the Local Option Gas Tax (LOGT), plans to convert the existing Skyway Superstructure and eight stations into an elevated roadway for AVs. The current bi-directional tracks run approximately 2.5 miles in each direction. Launching from the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) at LaVilla, the U2C elevated stations will stretch to four additional stations on the Downtown Northbank, and across the St. Johns River over the Acosta Bridge to three stations on the Downtown Southbank.
In December 2024, the JTA began the process to complete the Project Development & Environmental (PD&E) study. To meet regulatory requirements, this study will include 30% design plans for the conversion of the existing JTA Skyway superstructure into a Connected Automated Vehicle (CAV) corridor, in addition to deploying a battery electric bus (BEB) with route charging technologies to service the transit bus routes along the current Skyway routes, as well as an alternative analysis.
Phase 2 also includes the street-level connection to Phase 1, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, with the Autonomous Innovation Center, an operations and maintenance facility for autonomous vehicles in the LaVilla neighborhood.
LOGT Dedicated Funding:
Skyway Rehabilitation & Downtown Service Expansion – Capital (Infrastructure, System): $240,075,000.00
Skyway Rehabilitation & Downtown Service Expansion – Fleet: $6,765,000.00
The JTA will expand upon the Bay Street Innovation Corridor by extending at-grade autonomous vehicle service into several neighborhoods surrounding Downtown Jacksonville Based on A Transit Concepts and Alternatives Review (TCAR), those plans include:
North CorridorThe historic Springfield area’s residents and business owners are highly engaged in the community and host neighborhood festivals and events. This area also connects to UF Health.
West CorridorBrooklyn and Riverside host large office towers and blend into historic homes, eclectic shops and restaurants. Redevelopment in the northern portion of the corridor is bringing more places to live, work, shop and dine.
South CorridorThe South portion of the corridor houses medical, office and residential towers.
Southeast CorridorThe historic San Marco neighborhood has charming homes and many small businesses.
The JTA was awarded a RAISE Planning Grant from the U.S. DOT, which will advance the planning, environmental review and permitting, and preliminary project development activities for four Urban Circulator routes in the City of Jacksonville.
The city plans to expand the area served by the existing 2.5-mile Skyway by integrating autonomous vehicles along specific corridors. The first expansion (Bay Street Innovation Corridor) will open June 2025, while this grant will fund pre-construction activities for 7.5 expansion miles.
Complete: Negotiating Grant Agreement with U.S. DOT and FTA (May 2024)
Current Status: Procurement for RAISE Planning Grant - Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C): Neighborhood Extension and Planning Project
Project Planning Completion Date: Late 2026
The Test and Learn program (T&L) within the Automation & Innovation division at the JTA is at the forefront of implementing autonomous vehicles into the public transportation sector. This program leverages the resources of the JTA, along with key partnerships with local institutions to provide insight and feedback. To date, the JTA has tested eight vehicles on five different platforms. There are two test and learn track sites: Armsdale Test & Learn Facility and FSCJ Cecil Center Campus. Additionally, in 2024, JTA introduced autonomous vehicle testing routes at the FSCJ-Downtown campus and implemented the Brooklyn Lunch AV Route pilot program. These sites are vital components to the development of the U²C program and an autonomous transportation network. They enable JTA to gain critical information for the development of the U²C program and future applications of autonomous transit vehicles as part of its overall public transportation system.
Read the latest on the our future innovations for autonomous vehicles, and creativity with our U2C team!
The JTA accepts all solicitations electronically via our Procurement Portal. This system not only allows JTA to receive bids remotely, it also helps us track vendor participation, ensure compliance, improve transparency and reduce evaluation time. Get started by logging in or creating an account or viewing open opportunities.
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