August 14, 2018

Florida Automated Vehicles Summit Returns to Tampa

2018 FAV Summit to Feature Automated, Connected, Electric and Shared (ACES) Mobility.

Tampa, Fla. – On November 27th and 28th, 2018 the University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation (USF CUTR), the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), will host the 6th Annual Florida Automated Vehicles (FAV) Summit in downtown Tampa, Florida.

The FAV Summit assembles nationally-recognized experts and industry leaders to discuss the state of autonomous and connected vehicle technologies, implementation opportunities, and challenges to successfully integrate automated vehicles – and the accompanying technologies – within existing transportation networks. The 2018 FAV Summit will focus on ACES mobility. ACES is an acronym for the four rising stars of mobility – Automated, Connected, Electric and Shared.

“The world is moving to shared, electric, and self-driving. The implications of this shift will have profound impacts on both government and industry,” said State Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg). “The Florida Automated Vehicles Summit provides Florida’s policy makers and transportation leaders to interact with experts in this field.”

In addition to automated vehicle demonstrations and exhibits, this year’s Summit will update attendees on the progress of THEA’s Connected Vehicle (CV) Pilot, a $17 million U.S. Department of Transportation awarded contract to test and deploy connected vehicle technology in downtown Tampa. As part of the CV Pilot, THEA will be testing applications designed to reduce wrong-way driving incidents and rear-end collisions, increase pedestrian safety, improve traffic flow, prioritize traffic signalization for transit, and reduce incidents of vehicle or pedestrian conflicts with buses and trolleys.

“By being among the first cities in the nation to test and deploy automated and ACES mobility technologies, Tampa is addressing transportation challenges with 21st-century solutions,” said Joe Waggoner, THEA Executive Director, and CEO.

2018 6th Annual FAV Summit
November 27th – November 28th
Downtown Tampa, Marriott Waterside
700 S. Florida Ave, Tampa, FL, 33602

Please visit, https://favsummit.com to learn more or to register for 6th Annual FAV Summit.

August 7, 2018

THEA To Host Gandy Business Engagement Meeting

Tampa, FL – The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is hosting a Business Engagement meeting this Thursday, August 9th. Local Gandy businesses are invited to meet with the Selmon Extension team as part of THEA’s commitment to ensure open communication with Gandy-area businesses during the construction of the Selmon Extension.

“From the start, THEA has been committed to communicating with and supporting Gandy businesses during the construction of the Selmon Extension. We have implemented the Shop Gandy! Business Support Initiative, aimed at promoting and driving commerce to the businesses along the Gandy corridor before, during and after the construction of the Selmon Extension,” said Sue Chrzan, THEA Director of Public Affairs and Communications. “Our outreach teams are continually connecting with businesses to communicate timelines and address any concerns, and we have a dedicated Public Information Officer, Kymberly Graves, on-site Monday through Friday to help with any issues. This Business Engagement meeting gives businesses another way to be involved and understand the construction project.”

Business Engagement Meeting
Thursday, August 9th, 2:00 p.m.
Selmon Extension Construction Office
4811 W. Gandy Boulevard, Suite A
Tampa, FL 33611
Phone: 813-262-8510
RSVP: [email protected]

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About the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA)

As the owner and operator of the Selmon Expressway, the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority’s (THEA) mission is to provide safe, reliable, and financially sustainable transportation services to the Tampa Bay region while reinvesting customer-based revenues back into the community.

Our vision is to lead, partner, and implement safe, economically sound, and innovative multi-modal transportation solutions for our Tampa Bay Community.

About the Selmon Extension

The Selmon Extension is a 1.9-mile toll lane located in the median of Gandy Boulevard, which gives travelers a choice: use Gandy Boulevard for local destinations or use the Selmon Extension for a direct connection to the Selmon Expressway or the Gandy Bridge.

For more information, visit https://selmonextension.com.

Click here to download this press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 6, 2018

Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Expands Eligibility for Connected Vehicle Pilot – Offers Greater Rebates for Participants

Tampa, FL – The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is expanding the eligibility to allow more drivers to participate in the Connected Vehicle Pilot, an innovative research project that gives volunteers the opportunity to experience new equipment in their own cars.

Initially, THEA only offered the toll rebate to participating drivers who used the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway’s Reversible Express Lanes (REL). Now, participants who commute downtown using the Selmon Expressway’s REL or local lanes are eligible for the rebate. Participants will receive a 50% rebate on their toll charges, up to a maximum of $550.

Connected vehicles can communicate with traffic signals in downtown Tampa and with each other – helping to prevent crashes and keep traffic moving. THEA has already equipped more than 500 participant cars with connected vehicle equipment for the pilot.

THEA’s Connected Vehicle Pilot aims to demonstrate the safety, mobility and environmental benefits of connected vehicle technology. The U.S. Department of Transportation selected three agencies to be part of the Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program. The other two sites are New York City and the Interstate 80 corridor in the state of Wyoming. THEA’s project is unique in that it is the only CV pilot that involves local residents driving their own cars.

Drivers must meet certain criteria in order to participate. For example, they must be 18 years of age or older, own a car that is a 1996 model or newer, use the Selmon to commute into downtown or simply drive in downtown Tampa on a regular basis. Area residents who are interested in participating or want to learn more about the Pilot project are encouraged to take the online pre-screening questionnaire at www.TampaCVpilot.com to see if they are eligible.

After confirming their eligibility, prospective participants make an appointment for equipment installation and training. The equipment and installation are free of charge, and the toll rebate will accumulate up to a maximum of $550 until the pilot ends on January 31, 2020.

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Click here to download this release.