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Newark Liberty International Airport is on the brink of a technological evolution with the potential introduction of self-driving shuttles.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to commence trials of three models of these autonomous electric vehicles at the New Jersey airport this spring. The ultimate aim is to integrate them into the new AirTrain Newark system, anticipated to be operational by 2030.
These trials will involve zero-emission vehicles developed by autonomous technology companies Oceaneering, Ohmio, and Glydways. The testing will occur in a restricted area of the airport, inaccessible to the public, over two-week intervals beginning in March, according to a recent announcement from the airport authority.
“Autonomous vehicles are already a part of the travel landscape globally and nationally, whether in private, for-hire, or public transit settings,” noted Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of the Port Authority.
The outcome of these trials will be crucial, as it will qualify the participating tech firms to bid on a formal request for proposals, which the agency anticipates could be released as early as next year.
“We are building a new Newark Liberty that meets the demands of the next generation of travel, so we must embrace a future that is inclusive of all the different ways we can move this region,” Garcia said.
The Port Authority has conducted similar self-driving shuttle demonstrations since 2022, namely at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens.
A summer 2024 test allowed passengers to ride inside an Ohmio autonomous vehicle at JFK’s long-term parking lot 9.
The Port Authority has also tested autonomous lane-keeping technology on buses in its exclusive bus lane in and out of the Lincoln Tunnel during rush hours.
“Autonomous vehicles may offer a safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective solution than traditional busing, though the agency will also evaluate conventional electric buses as part of its broader review of mitigation plans during the redevelopment of Newark Liberty,” the agency said in a statement.