HART launches new HART SMART AV route near Tampa Riverwalk

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (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 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The new pilot service consists of two NAVYA autonomous shuttles and will operate until Jan. 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.  

"HART is proud to be the regional leader in a new era of transportation innovation in Tampa Bay," said Adelee Le Grand, HART CEO. "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. 

The driverless shuttle is 100 percent 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.  

“We are excited to expand the safe testing of autonomous shuttles within the City of Tampa’s developing Arts and Riverwalk area of downtown. Providing an alternative means of connectivity seven days a week in the city will allow various members of the community to experience the future of transportation in a thriving downtown environment. Additionally, it will provide HART with the opportunity to test these technologies in a new setting as they future-ready their city with safer and sustainable mobility,” said Joe Moye, BEEP, Inc. CEO. 

The previous route included four stops at Marion Transit Center's Bay F, Kennedy Boulevard, Washington Street and Whiting Street, and allowed HART and FDOT to gather baseline data which will be useful with the new route.