Boca Raton CRA directs staff to pursue three‑month autonomous shuttle pilot in Meisner Park

The Community Redevelopment Agency of Boca Raton on May 12 discussed and gave staff direction to pursue a three‑month pilot of an autonomous shuttle in Meisner Park, Public Works and Engineering Director Zach Beard told the commission.

Beard described a proposed Phase 1 pilot using a level‑4, eight‑seat autonomous shuttle on a roughly 0.5‑mile loop with four to six stops, charging infrastructure in Meisner Park and a safety passenger aboard as currently required by federal guidance. He said staff expects to amend the existing Circuit contract to add the autonomous service and to request federal approvals needed to expand operation if the pilot is successful.

The discussion centered on pilot scale, cost, operating days and how quickly Boca Raton could move to a larger Phase 2 or 3 that would operate on city streets outside the park. Beard said the vendor’s three‑month proposal would cost about $90,405 and include vehicle…