Study raises concerns for local multimillion-dollar autonomous vehicle project Action News Jax [Video]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax has found more serious concerns with a local, multi-million-dollar autonomous vehicles project. The same company behind the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s $66 million Bay Street Innovation Corridor had a similar pilot project in Charlotte.

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UNC Charlotte and the North Carolina Department of Transportation studied how the autonomous shuttles worked and were used. The major findings don’t bode well for Jacksonville’s full-scale project with the same company, Orlando-based Beep.

The study (see attached) found the tech needs to advance further if it is going to meet the needs and expectations of the community. It also found that the technology is not ready to be used as a conventional transit, as JTA intends, for a variety of reasons, like the fact it’s not fully autonomous and it still requires an attendant on board.

The study also found most people chose not to use the vehicle for a …