Through new testing and educational initiatives on the campuses of Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and FSCJ have agreed to expand the JTA’s autonomous vehicle program. 

The JTA Board of Directors approved a memorandum of understanding with FSCJ on May 28. The MoU includes the expansion of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) Test & Learn Program to FSCJ’s Commercial Driver’s License Test Track on the school’s Cecil Center Campus; the development of an autonomous vehicle deployment or “Agile Plan” on an FSCJ campus; and the development of curriculum and educational initiatives relative to autonomous vehicles, and related technology. 

“As we continue to develop our autonomous vehicle program, it is vital that higher education and the workforce of tomorrow is included in that conversation,” says JTA Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.

“Being able to access FSCJ’s test track and other facilities will also allow us to expand our testing program, as we push forward with the U2C project.”
 
The JTA is currently developing the U2C program, which it describes as an “innovative and fully connected autonomous vehicle network” planned for Downtown Jacksonville. Eventually, the program will expand to other key areas in Northeast Florida.

The U2C will leverage the existing Skyway infrastructure through four initial phases, and expand that network through ground-level connections and convert those structures to support autonomous vehicles. The first phase, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, is fully funded. 

“Our community is leading the way to the future of autonomous vehicles,” says FSCJ President Dr. John Avendano. “This partnership will provide innovative educational opportunities to the workforce in order to prepare our students for the next generation of automotive technology.”

The MoU lays the groundwork for the JTA to expand its current U2C Test & Learn Program to FSCJ’s Cecil Center, which is home to the school’s Aviation and Commercial Vehicle Driving programs. 

Through the development of a series of “Agile Plans,” the JTA has also developed a strategy to incorporate community partners and local institutions such as FSCJ. An Agile Plan is made up of low-speed AV circulators at specific locations that have a unique transportation need while connecting people with emerging technologies, which fulfills a core principal. Through this MoU, the JTA and FSCJ will develop an Agile Plan for on-campus use. 

JTA notes that as it continues to innovate through the U2C project, senior members of its Automation division will also begin developing a curriculum and other educational initiatives in conjunction with FSCJ faculty that focuses on autonomous vehicles and other innovative technologies to prepare the workforce of the future.