Newark Liberty International Airport could soon be getting self-driving shuttles.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is set to begin testing three models of the self-driving electric vehicles at the Jersey airport this spring to hopefully use them to connect passengers with the new AirTrain Newark system, which is set to open in 2030.
The tests — which will feature zero-emissions vehicles from autonomous-tech companies Oceaneering, Ohmio and Glydways – will take place in a non-publicly accessible part of the airport during two-week periods starting in March, the airport authority said in an announcement.
“Autonomous vehicles are in use around the world and around the country, and they are part of the modern travel experience whether in a private car, a for-hire vehicle or on public transit,” said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia.
The testing will qualify the autonomous tech firms to respond to a formal request for proposals, which could be issued as soon as next year, the agency said.
“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.