The lunchtime crowd in Brooklyn may catch a glimpse of something new beginning Aug. 27, when the Jacksonville Transportation Authority plans to launch an autonomous vehicle route along a row of restaurants along Riverside Avenue.
The JTA announced that the Brooklyn AV Circulator will operate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday along a six-block stretch of the street.
The service will start at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at 100 LaVilla Center Drive.
An onboard JTA attendant will be aboard the shuttle, the JTA said.
The pilot program is scheduled to run through Oct. 25. According to the JTA news release, the program will incorporate the EV Star multi-utility zero-emissions vehicle, which features 14 seats and two wheelchair locking points.
The JTA said in the news release the shuttle would provide access to these restaurants:
• Panera Bread, 10 Riverside Ave.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, 50 Riverside Ave.
• Burrito Gallery, 90 Riverside Ave., No. 601
• Vale Food Co., 90 Riverside Ave., No. 603
• BurgerFi, 108 Riverside Ave., No. 101
• First Watch, 192 Riverside Ave.
• The Fresh Market, 150 Riverside Ave., No. 200
• Plenti, 200 Riverside Ave., No. 1
• The Greenhouse, 200 Riverside Ave., No. 2
• Anejo Cocina Mexicana, 200 Riverside Ave., No. 183
• Arepa Please, 474 Riverside Ave.
• Boost Smoothie, 501 Riverside Ave., No. 107
• Tossgreen, 501 Riverside Ave., No. 107.
The Vista Brooklyn apartments also is included in the list.
In February, the JTA partnered with AV manufacturer Beep to launch a seven-month automated vehicle shuttle program at Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown campus.
The shuttle used in that program is smaller and has less seating area than the one that will operate in Brooklyn.
Both programs will help the JTA prepare to launch its Ultimate Urban Circulator program, known as the U2C. That system is scheduled to begin operation in 2025 on a 3.2-mile stretch designated the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, where JTA will provide autonomous shuttle service from Pearl Street to EverBank Stadium.
The finished U2C system would be a 10-mile vehicle network. Cost of the built-out system is estimated at $379 million to $400 million. The Jacksonville City Council approved a gas tax increase in 2021 that funds $247 million of the project.