HDR selected to guide Florida’s statewide connected and automated vehicle efforts

Firm also to provide construction engineering & inspection services at state’s new CAV test facility

OMAHA, Neb. -  HDR has been selected by the Florida Department of Transportation to help ensure Florida remains a leader in the integration of connected and automated vehicles.

As general engineering consultant, HDR will develop, implement, deploy and evaluate a statewide investment in connected and automated vehicle technology that’s among the most robust in the nation. The work continues Florida’s efforts to keep pace with rapidly changing transportation technology.

HDR will provide CAV program support, thought leadership, training for FDOT staff and development of CAV standards and action plans, among other tasks in the multi-year contract.

Safety will continue to be a priority of FDOT for Florida citizens and visitors as the agency makes significant mobility advancements and visible economic development achievements, with a focus on industry partnerships and technology deployments.

Among HDR’s key responsibilities will be implementing the state’s recently developed CAV business plan, meant to move Florida’s CAV efforts from planning phases and pilot projects to full-scale statewide deployment. As that deployment occurs, CAV technologies have the potential to significantly improve travel for Floridians, by reducing fatal highway crashes, improving travel times, increasing mobility and enhancing multimodal operations.

In addition, HDR was recently selected as the prime construction engineering and inspection services consultant for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise’s new connected and automated vehicle test facility at SunTrax. Located off I-4 between Orlando and Tampa, the large-scale, cutting-edge facility is a proving ground dedicated to the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies.

The $100 million SunTrax Connected/Automated Vehicle Test Facility (SunTrax Phase II) will involve the construction of 200 acres of infield roadway and track infrastructure and 13 buildings totaling over 140,000 square feet, as well as stormwater management, civil site/utility and communication facilities. When complete, it will be used for the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies related to tolling, intelligent transportation systems, smartphone-based technologies and other advanced transportation systems.

“Florida’s investment in connected and automated vehicle technologies has the potential to improve the daily lives of residents across the state, and HDR is proud to support the state’s forward-thinking initiatives,” said Bernie Arseneau, HDR’s director of highways and roads.