Florida’s Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), in partnership with Guident and AV America, welcomed nearly 300 transportation leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers to downtown Jacksonville for the National AV Day Conference, a comprehensive, day-long forum exploring the transformative role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in public transportation.

Held just one week before JTA’s historic launch of NAVI, the nation’s first permanent public transportation revenue-service powered by AVs, the event set a new attendance record. It underscored Jacksonville’s growing reputation as a leader in autonomous mobility innovation.

Vision for a Connected, Autonomous Future

“Today was an incredible day of engaging conversations and deep dives into the realities of how technology is transforming the future of public transportation,” said JTA CEO Nat Ford. “At the JTA, we believe in the power of AVs to seamlessly connect neighborhoods, business districts, and entertainment venues. We proudly share how Jacksonville uses this innovative technology to meet our community’s mobility needs.”

The event began with guided tours of JTA’s Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC), offering attendees a firsthand look at the infrastructure supporting the NAVI program. 

Following Ford's opening remarks, HOLON North America CEO Markus Schlitt delivered a keynote address emphasizing the critical role of autonomous mobility in shaping smart, sustainable cities.

Schlitt’s remarks were particularly relevant as HOLON builds a new AV manufacturing facility in Jacksonville. The facility is expected to generate more than 800 jobs and deliver $300 million in economic impact. 

The HOLON Mover will be integrated into the JTA’s AV fleet in the coming years, marking another milestone in the city’s AV ecosystem.

Developing a Workforce for the AV Era

The JTA also highlighted its ongoing efforts to create a pipeline of skilled professionals to support Jacksonville’s expanding transportation technology sector. This includes partnerships with Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) to establish AV-focused curriculum and internship opportunities that prepare the next generation of transit tech leaders.

The conference featured robust panels and presentations from national experts, transit authorities, and AV industry pioneers. Topics covered a range of pressing issues and emerging trends:

• Bay Street Innovation Corridor: Pioneering autonomous transit in Jacksonville.

• Shifting Legislative and Regulatory Landscape: What it means for shared AV mobility.

• Advancing AV Integration: Spotlight on cutting-edge technologies and solutions.

• Building and Innovating Autonomous Mobility.

• Valedictory Panel: Real-world impacts of autonomous transit.

As Jacksonville positions itself at the forefront of AV transit integration, the National AV Day Conference offered a compelling look into the policy, technology, and human capital shaping the next era of mobility.

Click here to learn more about the 2025 National AV Day Conference, its sponsors, and upcoming initiatives.