Expressway Authority To Host 1st Public Self-Driving Car Demo

TAMPA, FL -- It's no longer just the stuff of science fiction. Next week, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority is inviting the public to take a ride on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway in a futuristic self-driving car.

For three days, Wednesday, May 8, through Friday, May 11, the public will be invited to try out a self-driving car created by Perrone Robotics.

The expressway authority is teaming up with Perrone Robotics and SAE International, a professional engineering association committed to developing new mobility technology, to offer the first public self-driving car demonstration.

Among those planning to be first in line to try out the self-driving car is Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.

Brandes is a longtime advocate of the autonomous vehicle and, during the 2018 legislative session, sponsored a bill to allow self-driving cars to operate on Florida roads.

"I am incredibly grateful that SAE International is bringing this self-driving 'hands-off' demo to Tampa Bay," said Brandes. "Our residents will be able to experience the future of transportation and provide feedback that will be invaluable to industry leaders and policymakers as we chart a course toward the shared, electric and autonomous future."

The ride may be free but there is a catch. Volunteers will have to answer questions about their perception of self-driving cars before the ride and then give their thoughts about the experience after the ride. The information gathered will allow SAE International to identify ways to educate the public about autonomous vehicles.

"Public comfort and acceptance of self-driving vehicles are crucial for their success, both in the near-term of testing and the future of widespread use," said SAE International chief product officer, Frank Menchaca. "SAE International serves as a convener, working with technology companies, auto manufacturers and government to safely advance autonomous vehicle development. This demo day brings the most important audience to the dialogue: the public."

The Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority has been at the forefront of technology designed to decrease traffic congestion and increase road safety.

In 2015, the authority received $2.4 million in federal funding to develop a connected-vehicle program that would transform the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway into a 14-mile-long experimental lab to test next-generation car technology. Tampa is one of four cities nationwide to take part in the pilot program.

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Nelson announced the U.S. Department of Transportation contract Monday. Tampa is one of four cities nationwide, including New York City and Ann Arbor, Mich., to take part in the pilot program. The fourth city was not identified.

A car or truck equipped with connected vehicle technology “talks” wirelessly to other vehicles, traffic signals and crosswalks to help prevent crashes, keep traffic moving and improve fuel efficiency.

The equipment would make cars "smarter," allowing them to communicate and respond to changes in conditions. By mid-2018, the authority plans to equip 10 buses, 10 streetcars and the cars of 1,600 individual volunteers with this new technology.

"It's really the holy grail of technology for transportation," Brandes said. "The ability to add safety and fuel efficiency, and ease congestion. Autonomous vehicle technology will be as big a deal as the Model T."

Joe Waggoner, CEO of the expressway authority, said it's been exciting to be at the forefront of transportation solutions.

"From our real-time testing of connected vehicle technology to our award-winning reversible express lanes, THEA continues to drive the conversation on cutting-edge transportation solution for the Tampa Bay region," he said.

Dave Hofert, chief marketing officer for Perrone Robotics, said he's anxious to see how the public reacts to the experience. Formed in 2003 in Crozet, Virginia, Perrone Robotics, has been one of the country's major innovators in robotic vehicles.

"We are very pleased to support SAE International in this effort," said Hofert. "Our company mission is to enable broad-based autonomous mobility of all kinds and we believe that public engagement will drive awareness and acceptance of these vehicles. Through this demo, people will experience autonomous driving and can better make informed decisions about how autonomy could fit into their lives."

Interested riders can visit the sign-up page to reserve their ride. Additionally, participants can experience a Velodyne LiDAR Virtual Reality environment, and interact with a Voyage self-driving car.

To accommodate the demonstration, the Selmon Expressway Reversible Express Lanes will be closed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 7-11.

The reversible lanes will open eastbound at 4 p.m. each day and will remain open until 6 a.m. the following day,

Drivers are encouraged to use the local lanes of the Selmon Expressway during this time.

Video via Perrone Robotics