Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Chief Executive Officer

Memo
To: JTA Board of Directors

From: Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.

Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 22, 2024

Subject: Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) Bay Street Innovation Corridor

I wanted to make you aware of a news story that will likely air this week. I have attached a copy of a
non-JTA document that is being circulated around along with communications to some City leaders that
is inaccurately stating the U²C Bay Street Innovation Corridor (BSIC) is being funded by Local Option
Gas Tax (LOGT). This is simply not true. The LOGT funding source has a list of specific transportation
infrastructure projects that the LOGT is dedicated towards. The BSIC is not included. The money that
has been dedicated to the BSIC project are local dollars from JTA’s Capital Projects Fund which is
funded through annual budget surpluses as a result of good fiscal management and surplus property
sales as a result of board-approved dispositions.

The following are responses to the one pager (attached) related to the U²C.

JTA U²C Bay Street Innovation Corridor

The claims outlined in the spreadsheet are pulled from the 2018 BUILD grant application and grant agreement.
With these two documents, selective information has been pulled out to create a narrative that the JTA has not
delivered on the “promises” of our original grant agreement. Below is a point-by-point update and background
information on the facts and current standing of each item.

1 BSIC groundbreaking date, February 2024

On March 26, 2024, Balfour Beatty, the awarded contractor for the BSIC Project, received approval to start clearing
the site for the Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC) facility and has started preparing the site for construction.
They are working with the COJ to get the final approval on construction plans for the corridor. The JTA has
scheduled a ceremonial groundbreaking for May 29, 2024, as part of a week-long celebration focusing on
autonomous vehicle technology.
 22 Substantial completion in September of 2024 and the insinuation that the JTA
requested an extension of the entire BSIC project to 2030

JTA requested an extension date of 2030, solely related to the vehicles, to allow time for the purpose-built US
Autonomous vehicle market to develop. JTA is still on track to meet the BSIC Revenue Service Date planned for
June 30, 2025, as there is currently an American manufacturer producing a qualified autonomous vehicle. The
vehicle selected is being used in other programs throughout the United States.

3 Initial cost of $44 million and current cost of $66 million

Of note, this grant application was submitted in 2018. As with all projects, costs fluctuate, and cost estimates
provided five years ago are expected to increase based on market, materials, labor, improved innovation and
project partner requested add-ons, such as studies and scope changes. This is not unique to the BSIC or the U2C
program. After the initial design work, a more refined cost estimate around the Autonomous Innovation Center,
including additional scope and cybersecurity requirements were added to the project through the Board approval
process.

4 Federal, state and local cost sharing

Bold, visionary, and cutting-edge, multi-year projects such as the U2C program are complex and require a variety
of funding sources and a series of federal, state, and local approvals. These grant reimbursements from the federal
and state government will adjust as we continue to work and meet all project requirements and deliver this mobility
solution for the City of Jacksonville.

5 Ridership estimates

JTA’s BSIC travel demand forecast was built in 2019 using the North Florida Transportation Planning
Organization’s approved formal ridership model, the Northeast Regional Planning Model, as well as incorporating
details from the Downtown Investment Authority's State of the Downtown Report taking into consideration the
many developments planned and in-progress in Downtown Jacksonville. Combined, this generated the projected
2,500 in daily ridership. Since 2019, some of the proposed downtown projects have either begun or have been
completed furthering support of the ridership projection provided.

6 Federal compliant vehicles

The JTA is deploying 14 federally compliant autonomous vehicles along the BSIC, ensuring the vehicles meet the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)—the highest compliance level. By doing so, JTA is setting a
precedent in Jacksonville and nationwide for addressing complex transportation challenges. This initiative involves
a series of evolutionary steps to fulfill the objectives and outcomes specified by the related policies and grants. The
JTA has always planned to launch the autonomous vehicles in level 3 autonomy, with an attendant onboard, to
ensure our customers feel safe and become acclimated with the new technology. The JTA will work with the United
States Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Transportation to deploy at level 4 autonomy
when the time is deemed appropriate.

7 6 new branded stations

Along the BSIC route, there are plans for 12 new branded autonomous vehicle (AV) stations. Four of these stations
are located at existing fixed-route bus stops. These developments have been coordinated with the City of
Jacksonville and the Downtown Investment Authority, reflecting a collaborative approach to future transportation
infrastructure needs.
8 20 connected intersections

As the BSIC project development and design progressed and the AV route was refined, a total of 17
connected intersections was determined to be the optimal amount.

9 14 flood sensors

As the BSIC project development and design advanced and coordination with the City of Jacksonville (COJ)
progressed, the needs and requirements for flood sensors were refined. The BSIC Project is deploying two flood
sensors, complementing the four flood sensors the COJ has installed as part of the Bay Street Jax Project. In total,
there will be six flood sensors along the corridor.

10 39 pedestrian sensors

The BSIC project will deploy a number of pedestrian detection sensors. The JTA is collaborating with the City of
Jacksonville’s Traffic Engineering team to determine the final locations.

11 Mixed-use safety surveillance/CCTV cameras

The BSIC Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) improvements will provide complete camera coverage for all
vehicles and stations. Currently, the project includes 25 cameras along the route and 12 cameras at the stations.

12 Automation Innovation Center costs

The $500,000 was allocated for the purpose developing and designing plans for an Autonomous Innovation Center
that will serve the dual purpose of an Operation & Maintenance Facility and will also include a State-Of-The-Art
Control Center which will be an operations hub for vehicle safety monitoring, passenger service and route
management for the U2C program. The cost of the facility is estimated to be $9.4 million.

13 Modernized traffic lights with signal priority

The BSIC Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) enhancements feature technology at 17 intersections that helps
self-driving vehicles (AVs) reduce travel time. Additionally, one intersection has queue jump technology to help
AVs switch from traveling west to east more smoothly.
 PROMISED ACTUAL
Groundbreaking, February 2024 Date Missed, TBD

Substan al Comple on, September 2024 JTA’s 2030 Deadline extension request
denied by FTA.
Cost: $44 million $66.6 Million

Combo of federal/state/local $ Spent: $1.49 million federal, $0 State,

$15,768,803 local, to date

Ridership: 2,500 people/day 250-300/day at best, per FDOT

12-15 federally compliant autonomous vehicles Ford E-Transit vans with AV kit and driver

6 new, branded sta ons TBD

20 connected intersec ons TBD

14 flood sensors TBD

39 Pedestrian sensors TBD

Mixed use safety surveillance/CCTV cameras TBD

$500,000 maintenance building Rendering es mated to cost $9.4 million

Modernized traffic lights with signal priority TBD

*Upon request I can provide a packet with the data used to compile this table and the
primary public records associated.