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Boca Raton says Boca Connect meeting headway goals, tests autonomous shuttle and advances quick-build street safety projects
Summary
Public Works reported Boca Connect is meeting the council-required under-10-minute headway, staff has begun testing an autonomous 'Mika' shuttle in Meisner Plaza under an NHTSA permit and the city is deploying quick-build safety treatments and crosswalk beacons downtown, with a symposium on micro-mobility set for Oct. 30.
Zach Beard, Public Works engineering director, told the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Oct. 27 that Boca Connect — the city’s downtown circulator launched in June 2024 — has met the council’s requirement for an average wait time under 10 minutes and that staff has been monitoring ridership and vehicle supply.
Beard said staff recently began testing a small autonomous shuttle (the Mika unit) in Meisner Plaza as part of an NHTSA permitting process designed to evaluate safety and operations. "We started with a very small loop, just within Meisner Plaza so people can get used to the Mika unit," he said, adding staff will evaluate performance and safety checks before expanding the route to connect Meisner and Royal Palm Place. "It could be driving autonomously," Beard said.
On pedestrian safety, Beard described quick-build projects and new crosswalk treatments on Palmetto Park Road. He said the city has installed fourth-generation high-emphasis amber striping and beacons at key crosswalks and received "really positive feedback" on the increased visibility. Staff is coordinating intersection improvements on East Palmetto Park Road with FDOT and Palm Beach County and is conducting a warrant study for signalization at 1st Avenue to address recurring safety concerns.
Beard said the city has procured modular quick-build materials and deployed them at test locations including 7th Street and Meisner Boulevard, with engineering staff walking radii and ensuring compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices before changes become permanent. "We do quick builds, but we do them with great care and judicious intent," he said.
Commissioners asked technical questions. One commissioner asked whether the new beacons flash only when activated; Beard said they are button-actuated now and staff is exploring motion-activated systems (LIDAR) as a future enhancement. A commissioner asked whether counting hardware had been procured to measure pedestrian and bicycle volumes; Beard said he would confirm procurement details and follow up.
Beard also announced a Micro-Mobility Safety Symposium for Oct. 30 (4–8 p.m.) aimed at e-bike awareness and youth outreach; preregistration is required via a QR code or the city website. The CRA closed discussion and moved to a workshop where staff will present more detailed project plans and data.
