We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Florida nears opening date for autonomous vehicle test track
Forward Thinking

Florida nears opening date for autonomous vehicle test track

December 7, 2018
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments
PUT_ALT_TXT_HERE

As autonomous vehicle technology advances quickly toward general use, researchers in Florida are nearly finished developing a test track where engineers can safely unleash those driverless cars, business leaders said Nov. 30.

In an announcement at the Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit, developers released the latest sketches of the planned, 2.25-mile-long, "SunTrax" test track set on a 475-acre plot in the state's Polk County, midway between Orlando and Tampa.

Program Manager, Paul Satchfield, shares #SunTrax's latest renderings and animations during the #2018FAVSummit. #autonomousvehicles#innovation#FutureOfTransportationpic.twitter.com/lkLKdqPCyC

— SunTraxFL (@suntraxfl) November 27, 2018

The $42 million oval track represents a long-term partnershipbetween the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, and Florida Polytechnic University.

The Florida track will be the latest site designed for unmanned car testing. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation designated 10 "proving ground pilot sites" including the Michigan Technical Resource Park, in Ottawa Lake, Mich., and GoMentum Station in Concord, Calif.

Slated to be complete by spring 2021, Florida's Suntrax facility will be available for preliminary rental use next spring, offering what officials call the only high-speed autonomous vehicle testing facility in the southeastern U.S.

Visitors testing their experimental cars on the site will be able to choose from various environments on the 200-acre infield area, including:

  • An urban area that simulates intersection configurations and complex lighting, signing, and signal conditions,
  • A roadway geometry track made up of complex horizontal and vertical curves, plus irregular grade changes,
  • A pick-up/drop-off area to replicate various multi-modal passenger transfers, such as transit centers, and
  • An augmented reality pad to create immersive, computer-generated environments. 

The design is intended to challenge autonomous vehicles by requiring them to navigate obstacles like: an urban area with shipping containers used to replicate buildings, a suburban area, and an airport pick up/drop off area, officials said.

  • Related Articles

    Auburn University to build autonomous vehicle research facility

    Autonomous vehicle market to reach $50 billion by 2040

    Tropical Storm Dorian nears hurricane strength off Puerto Rico

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Freightos completes plan to go public on NASDAQ exchange, raises $80 million

Retailers lose visibility as they outsource last-mile delivery, FarEye says

WiseTech buys New Hampshire drayage and trucking visibility software firm for $230 million

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Forecasts call for freight rate slumps in 2023

  • Projected U.S. recession in early 2023 will soften freight market

  • Inflation drops again as interest rate hikes hit home, NRF says

  • How to avoid the next crisis: A new approach to supply chain agility

  • Five levers to build a resilient supply chain

Featured Video

20221107korber large vs

Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

Viewer Contributed
With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • A shipper's guide to navigating post-pandemic holiday freight

  • THE NEW WAY TO WAREHOUSE: 4 Innovations in Automation & Robotics to Boost Warehouse Productivity

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing