Jacksonville, Florida is on the cusp of a transportation revolution with the introduction of fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) that will navigate the city’s revitalized waterfront and urban core.
In an exciting collaboration between T-Mobile and Miller Electric Company, the Ultimate Urban Circulator program in Jacksonville will showcase the potential of autonomous shuttles in transforming public transportation.
This groundbreaking initiative will utilize T-Mobile’s Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) to establish a 5G private network that will enable seamless connectivity for the AV fleet. The initial phase will cover a 3-mile route connecting EverBank Stadium to the newly developed waterfront hub.
Craig Bowman, Director of Technology at Miller Electric, highlighted the significance of 5G connectivity in ensuring efficient communication between the AVs and the control center. The high bandwidth and low latency of T-Mobile’s 5G network will support real-time video surveillance and two-way audio and video communications for enhanced passenger experience.
The deployment of 5G technology is essential for smart city initiatives involving AVs, offering superior reliability and scalability compared to traditional Wi-Fi solutions. T-Mobile’s private network will facilitate secure and reliable communication between the shuttles and the command center, enabling the transmission of telemetry data and interactive communication features.
Mishka Dehghan, SVP of Strategy, Product, and Solutions Engineering at T-Mobile, emphasized the role of 5G in unlocking the full potential of autonomous vehicles. With the flexibility of a 5G private network, T-Mobile empowers businesses to realize their futuristic visions with advanced connectivity solutions.
Integrating the 5G private network infrastructure with existing power and fiber solutions, T-Mobile ensures seamless connectivity for Miller Electric’s AV operations without the need for additional infrastructure. This holistic approach sets the stage for the successful deployment of autonomous shuttles by mid-2025, marking the beginning of Jacksonville’s Ultimate Urban Circulator plan.
As cities worldwide grapple with urban mobility challenges, Jacksonville’s autonomous vehicles initiative emerges as a beacon of hope in leveraging IoT technologies for efficient public transport. The success of this project could inspire similar deployments in urban centers globally, revolutionizing the way people commute.
(Photo by Lance Asper)
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