Jacksonville Transit Explores Autonomous Vehicle Scaling

DOT nominee Seval Oz to keynote Florida conference on scaling autonomous transit

DOT Nominee to Keynote Florida AV Conference

Transit leaders and technology innovators will gather in Florida next month as a top federal transportation nominee addresses the future of autonomous vehicles. Seval Oz, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation, will deliver the keynote at the 5th Annual Autonomous Vehicle Conference on May 29th, 2026. The event takes place at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, bringing together government officials, transit agencies, and technology companies to explore autonomous mobility deployment.

Conference Focuses on Scaling Autonomous Transit

The conference addresses a critical challenge facing transit agencies nationwide: moving autonomous vehicle programs from small pilot projects to full-scale deployment. Guident Corp. and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced the event will examine economic, policy, and infrastructure conditions needed for widespread autonomous transportation. JTA operates multiple transit services including BRT, regular bus routes, paratransit, ferry service, and autonomous vehicle programs, making it a key partner in exploring how agencies can integrate self-driving technology into existing systems. Officials said the gathering will highlight partnerships between private-sector innovation and public transportation leadership.

Keynote to Outline National Deployment Roadmap

Oz's keynote, titled 'From Pilot Programs to Scalable, Real-World Deployment: Building the Affordable Autonomy Economy,' will outline a national roadmap for autonomous vehicle deployment across the United States. The address will examine how to transition autonomous mobility from limited pilot programs to scalable, real-world operations that transit agencies can afford and maintain. Conference topics will include autonomous vehicles, connected infrastructure, safety protocols, artificial intelligence applications, and public transit innovation. Officials said the event aims to establish practical frameworks for agencies considering autonomous technology investments.

Event Brings Together Transit and Tech Leaders

The May 29th conference will convene leaders from transportation agencies, government, technology companies, infrastructure providers, and autonomous systems developers. The event's focus on affordable autonomy reflects growing interest among transit agencies in self-driving technology that can address driver shortages and expand service coverage. Officials said the conference will explore how agencies can implement autonomous vehicles while managing costs and maintaining safety standards. The gathering represents ongoing efforts to develop practical deployment strategies for autonomous transit systems.

Autonomous Technology Reshapes Transit Planning

Transit agencies nationwide are evaluating how autonomous vehicles might fit into their service networks, particularly for routes where traditional bus service faces operational challenges. The conference's emphasis on scalable deployment addresses concerns about moving beyond demonstration projects to systems that serve daily riders. Officials said the event will provide agencies with insights on policy frameworks, infrastructure requirements, and economic models for autonomous transit. Riders can track real-time transit information and service updates through Moovit, which provides trip planning for traditional and emerging transit services.