HART SMART AV Service Launches Near the Tampa Riverwalk!

HART has launched a new route for HART SMART AV, Tampa Bay's first, fully electric autonomous vehicle.

The free shuttle, operated by HART and BEEP Inc., an Orlando-based autonomous solutions provider, will now operate along the Tampa Riverwalk, following a looping route on City of Tampa streets, originating at Armature Works in Tampa Heights, running southbound near the Tampa Riverwalk, to the Barrymore Hotel and the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

HART SMART AV will serve riders at three stops: Armature Works, Water Works Park and the Straz Center operating Monday – Sunday 9 am to 10 pm. The new pilot service consists of 2 NAVYA autonomous shuttles and will operate until January 1, 2022.

The shuttle can travel up to 15 mph in autonomous mode while along the route and has varying speeds based on the environment such as crosswalks, approaching stop signs or navigating intersections. 

The driverless shuttle is 100% electric and costs less than $30 per month to charge. HART SMART AV operates without a steering wheel and uses a pre-programmed, fixed route with a combination of localization techniques, involving state-of-the-art sensor technology. The shuttle uses eight sensors on the outside of the vehicle providing a 360-degree view of the environment. An on-board shuttle attendant serves as an ambassador for the riders to learn more about the technology and oversee the high-quality passenger experience. 

"HART is proud to be the regional leader in a new era of transportation innovation in Tampa Bay," said Adelee Le Grand, HART Chief Executive Officer. "We are looking at HART SMART AV to provide valuable data and insight to assist decision-making in the delivery of transit service in the future."

The first HART SMART AV first pilot route along the Marion Transitway allowed the agency and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to collect baseline data for the technology which operated alongside HART fixed-route buses, over a railroad crossing, and through traffic lights. The additional route allows local and state agencies to test the technology in a different environment which includes movement alongside the public and connecting activity centers on City of Tampa streets.  

HART SMART AV is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and is operated in partnership between BEEP, Inc. and HART.

 

For more information on HART SMART AV, visit goHART.org/AVpilot.

HART SMART AV Expands to All-Day Service!

HART SMART AV operating along the Marion Transitway

HART SMART AV, Tampa Bay's first, fully electric automated vehicle pilot, is expanding service hours. The autonomous shuttle, operated by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and BEEP, an Orlando-based autonomous shuttle service provider, is now operating 6 AM - 7 PM; an additional five hours daily from the initial schedule of 6 AM -  10 AM; 3 PM - 7 PM.

The service expansion is possible due to the recent addition of a second shuttle operating along the route, which allows one of the vehicles to charge while the other is operating.

"The expansion of service hours positions HART SMART AV as a great lunchtime transportation option for downtown workers and residents, who don't want to move their car or search for parking," said Adelee Le Grand, HART Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to be able to provide all-day service along the corridor".

Funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, and in partnership with BEEP, HART launched the one-year HART SMART AV autonomous vehicle pilot on October 12, 2020. The free shuttle offers first mile, last-mile connection between the TECO Line Streetcar and the Marion Transit Center, along North Marion Street in downtown Tampa.

The driverless shuttle is 100% electric and costs less than $30 per month to charge. HART SMART AV operates without a steering wheel and uses a pre-programmed, fixed route with a combination of localization techniques, involving state-of-the-art sensor technology. The shuttle uses eight sensors on the outside of the vehicle providing a 360-degree view of the environment. An on-board shuttle attendant serves as an ambassador for the riders to learn more about the technology and oversee the high-quality passenger experience. 

The route includes four stops at Marion Transit Center's Bay F, Kennedy Boulevard, Washington Street and Whiting Street, with the option for a future stop at Tampa City Hall. The autonomous shuttle will operate at a maximum speed of 15 mph as part of the one-year pilot.

For more information on HART SMART AV, visit goHART.org/AVpilot.