The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will conduct trials of electric autonomous shuttles at Newark Liberty International Airport this spring, as the agency evaluates potential self-driving transport connections to the airport’s new AirTrain system.
Three autonomous vehicle developers — Oceaneering, Ohmio and Glydways — will each operate two-week demonstrations using zero-emission shuttles in a restricted area of the airport not accessible to the public.
The trials will simulate a high-capacity shuttle network operating in a complex airport environment, with multiple vehicles running simultaneously during each testing period.
According to the Port Authority, Oceaneering will begin the first trial in March, followed by Ohmio later that month. Glydways is scheduled to conduct its test in May.
The initiative is linked to the construction of the new AirTrain Newark system, a $3.5 billion project intended to replace the current airport rail link that opened in 1996. The upgraded system is expected to enter service in 2030.
Passenger volumes at Newark Liberty have increased significantly since the existing AirTrain opened, rising from about 30 million annual passengers at the time to nearly 50 million in 2024. Officials expect AirTrain ridership to grow by around 50% by 2040.
The Port Authority is exploring whether autonomous shuttles could connect terminals and airport facilities with future AirTrain stations as part of the airport’s broader redevelopment, which also includes planning for a new Terminal B.
The Newark trials build on several years of autonomous vehicle testing conducted by the agency across its transportation network.
In 2022, the Port Authority tested autonomous bus platooning technology in the Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane. The agency also conducted demonstrations at John F. Kennedy International Airport, including a pilot involving a platoon of three autonomous vehicles in a parking facility.
A previous test at Newark Liberty in 2023 involved a 14-passenger autonomous shuttle operating in mixed traffic conditions, followed by another trial in 2024.
If the upcoming demonstrations prove successful, the Port Authority said it may issue a formal request for proposals for an autonomous shuttle system in 2027.
Kevin O’Toole said autonomous shuttles could provide an efficient solution for passenger transport as construction projects progress across the airport.
Kathryn Garcia said the agency is evaluating emerging transportation technologies to ensure future airport infrastructure can support multiple mobility options.