The future of transportation has officially arrived in Jacksonville, Florida!
On Tuesday, April 16th, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and the Vision 2 Reality (V2R) Team hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the cutting-edge Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC) – a first-of-its-kind facility that positions Jacksonville as a national leader in autonomous mobility.
WGI is proud to have played a key role in designing and bringing this transformative project to life!
Located in the heart of Jacksonville, this two-story, 18,798-square-foot facility features maintenance bays for vehicle service, covered AC parking with charging stations, as well as an open terrace with a viewing area overlooking vehicles arriving and departing the facility. JTA says the facility will also ultimately contain 129 rooftop solar panels, with 100% of the electrical power demand for the building offset by its microgrid.
But the facility is not simply the operational headquarters for the U²C program – it also serves as an innovation hub, research lab, and testbed for the development, deployment, and maintenance of autonomous vehicles and smart city technology.
A New Era in Urban Mobility
The AIC is the first of its kind across the nation, and its opening marks a pivotal milestone in the evolution of public transportation.
With a state-of-the-art Command and Control Center, maintenance bays for AVs, and dedicated space for research and workforce development, the facility will support the buildout of JTA’s multi-phased U²C program, including its first leg, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor.
During the ceremony, JTA also announced the new branding for its autonomous vehicle service – “AutonomOUS” – which reflects both the innovative nature of the program and its community-focused mission.
“We’re not just designing transportation—we’re designing the future of cities,” said WGI’s VP of New Mobility and Connected Communities, Lisa Nisenson. “We’re incredibly proud to collaborate with JTA on such a forward-thinking project that not only enhances mobility, but also supports innovation, sustainability, and economic development.”
WGI’s Role
The Vision 2 Reality (V2R) partnership, comprising of WGI, Balfour Beatty, Superior Construction Company Southeast, Beep, Inc., Miller Electric, Grayline, and Urban SDK, utilized a progressive design-build approach to deliver this cutting-edge project.
WGI’s comprehensive expertise in transportation engineering, architecture, structural engineering, MEP engineering, civil engineering, environmental services, and geospatial technologies proved to be vital to the success of the U2C initiative.
From initial concepting to final implementation, our team worked closely with JTA to design a facility that would support next-generation transportation solutions and foster ongoing innovation.
Our multidisciplinary team delivered solutions that reflect JTA’s commitment to excellence, safety, and community impact – principles that align perfectly with WGI’s own values. The Autonomous Innovation Center is a testament to what can be achieved through strong collaboration and visionary thinking.
Looking Ahead
The opening of the AIC is just the beginning…. With continued investment in the U²C program and the support of partners like WGI, JTA is laying the foundation for a smarter, safer, and more connected Jacksonville.
Contact our team today to learn more about how WGI’s innovative design and engineering are helping to drive Jacksonville’s smart city future, and let’s discuss how we can continue to push the boundaries of innovation on your next project!
