Every facet of the ecosystem played a role that led directly or indirectly to the JTA’s successful launch of the country’s first fully deployed, revenue generating autonomous vehicle program in the United States in June 2025. • Government leaders at the local, state, and federal levels helped secure funding for the first phase of the U 2 C development and deployment on Bay Street. From the $12.5 million BUILD grant, which was personally delivered to the JTA by former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, to the FDOT State of Florida that provided another $13 million to complete the first phase of the $65 million initiative. A portion of the funds were also used for the AIC. • Industry provided the platform to test different automated vehicles and develop standards for the JTA’s U 2 C program; • Business leaders supported testing and development, helped develop tax incentives, and promoted the impact the AV service will have on the local economy. The V2R team was part of this group; • Workforce development programs and initiatives were created at the JTA, FSCJ, and Jacksonville University to promote education and training in automation technology for existing workers; • Community residents, customers, families and tourists learned the benefits of AV technology in daily travel by taking simulated rides at the JTA’s Armsdale Test and Learn Track and at events around the city where the JTA made test vehicles available. “The ecosystem has a ripple effect. If you build it they will come,” said JTA Board member Ari Jolly. “It will attract other business by having the skillset, the education, and the interest in the new technology and being able to offer other manufacturers the talent.”
To help prepare for the future of AV’s, the JTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FSCJ to offer AV service at the downtown Jacksonville campus through a one-year pilot program to transport students, faculty, and visitors. The JTA also had a MOU with Florida Polytechnic University which had the first test track for the U 2 C program in 2017. The JTA has collaborated with FSCJ and BEEP to develop a college curriculum. Meanwhile, the JTA is assessing internal workforce development programs to train existing employees for AV technology. A workforce skill gap assessment and analysis is underway to determine current and future needs for AV upskilling. Training programs will be tailored to meet those needs.
ULTIMATE URBAN CIRCULATOR – A CASE STUDY | 23
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