It is estimated that autonomous vehicles will generate $7 trillion in economic value by 2050, setting the stage for future mobility solutions. Enter SunTrax, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)’s $48 million effort to test the transportation solutions of tomorrow. SunTrax features a 2.25 -mile, four-lane oval track which allows the opportunity to test multiple technologies simultaneously. It also has a LEED-Certified operations center with training and testing facilities with fiber optic track connections.
SunTrax provides unprecedented access for testing through various simulations, minimizing the need to close active lanes on the roadway. Truck platooning, autonomous vehicles, and toll transactions have all been successfully conducted. This has allowed FDOT to work towards a “holistic” approach to future projects that prioritize safety, transportation options, and the growth of communities – using technology to create solutions improve the quality of life for everyone in the state.
America's Transportation Awards 