HART, PSTA expand and extend AV pilots
Two Florida autonomous shuttle pilots have extended their operations.
In Tampa, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) added five hours of operation per day to its electric automated vehicle pilot, HART SMART AV. The autonomous shuttle, which is operated by HART and BEEP, will operate from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. daily.
The added service is possible with the addition of a second shuttle. This allows for one vehicle to charge while the other is operating.
HART partnered with Beep to launch the one-year autonomous shuttle pilot last October. The pilot, which is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, costs less than $30 per month to charge and offers people traversing downtown Tampa a mobility option without the worry of having to search for parking.
"HART is proud to be the regional leader in a new era of transportation innovation in Tampa Bay," said HART CEO Adelee Le Grand. "We are looking at HART SMART AV to provide valuable data and insight to assist decision-making in the delivery of transit service in the future."
Another AV shuttle pilot project just across Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg also will see a service extension. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Board of Directors approved the operation of Autonomous Vehicle Advantage (AVA) through March 28, 2021.
AVA was launched in November and was originally only scheduled to operate until February 2021. While PSTA’s Board has approved the free service’s extension, the decision will require approval of the St. Petersburg City Council, which is expected to review the item at its March 4 meeting.
“Over the last three months, AVA has been a great success along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller. “Once approved, we are excited to have AVA continue bringing smiles and rides to residents in the Sunshine City.”
AVA is also operated in partnership with Beep and both HART SMART AV and AVA have an on-board shuttle attendant who serves as an ambassador for riders to learn more about the technology being used, as well as to oversee the passenger experience.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
