Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has awarded Balfour Beatty Vision 2 Reality (V2R) Team and lead autonomous vehicle contractor Beep a contract to deliver the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) Phase 1.
The first phase of the U2C program is the Bay Street Innovation Corridor (BSIC), which will be a three-mile, at-grade route beginning at the current terminal of the Skyway's Central Station, east to the Sports/Entertainment District/TIAA Bank Field. The federally funded project will be the initial phase of the U²C program and will introduce autonomous vehicles along a key transportation corridor in downtown Jacksonville.
The JTA Board of Directors approved the selection of the Balfour Beatty V2R Team for the project last summer. The Belfour Beatty V2R team comprises Beep, Superior Construction Southeast, WGI Inc., Stantec Consulting Services and Miller Electric.
"Reimagining and redeveloping the Bay Street Innovation Corridor is an opportunity of a lifetime. The U2C project will serve as the framework for many communities to follow. We are excited at the opportunity to partner with JTA to bring this vision to reality and establish the country's first autonomous transportation network in the country," said Balfour Beatty Project Executive Dave Campbell.
CEO of Beep Joe Moye added, "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. Phase 1 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.”
