NY / NJ Port Authority Seeks Innovative Autonomous Vehicles Systems
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have published a Request for Innovation (RFI) to collect ideas and co-author operations reports that explore how different autonomous vehicle systems can support the operations of the Port Authority facilities. Selected partners may receive a stipend to collaborate on operations reports.
Date Released: 1/2/2020
Respond by: 2/3/2020 2:00pm EST
Contact: Allison Agliardo, aagliardo@panynj.gov
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is interested in exploring the potential for Autonomous Vehicle Systems (“AV System”) at Port Authority facilities to support the mission of moving people and goods throughout the region. To this end, we are seeking Responses (“Responses”) to this Request for Innovation (“RFI”) from firms (“Respondents”) interested in deploying an AV System and identifying potential applications for their system under given facility conditions. Firms will first respond with details about their AV System (“Phase 1”) and Port Authority may then select firms to partner in creating an operations report (“Phase 2”) explaining how that AV System would work at a given Port Authority facility under specified conditions.
I. PHASE 1: AV SYSTEM DETAILS
Autonomous vehicles generally cover a wide range of solutions. Port Authority is interested in systems that can move the most people safely, quickly, in an economical manner, and under the widest range of possible conditions. To that end, Respondents are asked to:
- A. Submit information as to how their AV System works. This should include but is not limited to capacity (in passengers per hour per direction), vehicles costs, annual operating expenses, special system or infrastructure requirements, safety certifications, operational conditions, and previous deployment history.
- B. Identify potential applications for the Respondent’s AV System at Port Authority facilities. These may be prospective in nature and include projected system capabilities in the future. Respondents should also articulate why the system is well suited to the needs of multi-passenger rides, rather than focus on single-occupancy solutions.
The purpose of the Responses for Phase 1 is to inform Port Authority about the capabilities today and assist in the agency’s planning for the future.
II. PHASE 2: OPERATIONS REPORT
Port Authority is targeting 3–5 respondents for selection for Phase 2 to spend time collaborating with Port Authority staff. It is currently contemplated that the collaboration could be for 30 days and write an operations report based on the actual conditions of a given facility. If selected, respondents are under no obligation to participate. Participating firms may be compensated a stipend upon delivery of their report. Port Authority is not liable for any expenses or incurred costs of any kind beyond this compensation for selected firms.
III. BACKGROUND
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is a municipal corporate instrumentality and political subdivision of the States of New York and New Jersey, created and existing by virtue of the Compact of April 30, 1921, made by and between the two States. The Port Authority’s facilities include two tunnels, and four bridges between the States of New York and New Jersey, the Hudson Tubes facility, including the Port Authority Trans-Hudson system (“PATH” or the “PATH system), a bus terminal, the Trans-Hudson ferry service, five airports, the World Trade Center, six marine terminals, two waterfront development facilities, four industrial development facilities, a resource recovery facility, and certain regional development facilities. The Port Authority is self-sustaining in that it raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction, or acquisition of its facilities primarily upon the basis of its own credit. The Port Authority has no power to levy taxes or assessments. Its bonds, notes, and other obligations are not obligations of the two States or of either of them and are not guaranteed by the States or by either of them.
Autonomous Vehicles in the Port Region and Beyond
In August 6, 2019 The Brooklyn Navy Yard began the first AV System to operate in the Port region. Shuttling passengers in 6 vehicles along a 1.1-mile route in mixed traffic, vehicles safely provide a free mode of transportation from the entrance of the Navy Yard to the ferry terminal. In Las Vegas, the convention center has awarded a contract to build 3 stations and 2 tunnels for the internal transportation of attendees using an AV System. Around the country, pilots continue to be developed in coordination with local transit agencies (Jacksonville), on corporate properties (Denver), and on college campuses (Pittsburgh).
Outside of the United States, systems have been deployed in conjunction with bus rapid transit (Netherlands), at airports (Heathrow, Brussels, Dubai), and as personal rapid transit (South Korea). With an increasing number of deployments, this trend will have major implications for global transportation systems.
