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WGI is proud to announce that the firm has been recognized by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) with a 2026 Awards of Excellence Honorable Mention in the Innovation in a Mobility, Transportation, or Parking Program – Innovation & Technology category for our work on the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s (JTA) Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) Bay Street Innovation Corridor.
The recognition highlights WGI’s role in helping deliver one of the nation’s most innovative autonomous transportation initiatives and reinforces the project’s impact on the future of mobility, smart infrastructure, and connected urban environments.
Presented annually, the IPMI Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding parking, transportation, and mobility projects that demonstrate innovation, operational excellence, sustainability, and enhanced user experience.
At the center of the initiative is the Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC), a state-of-the-art command and operations facility envisioned to position Northeast Florida as a national hub for autonomous vehicle research, testing, and technology advancement.
The facility supports fleet management, operations, electric vehicle charging, and innovation-focused collaboration while creating opportunities for startups, academic institutions, and technology companies to help shape the future of autonomous mobility.
The project also demonstrates how modern mobility solutions can enhance connectivity, improve accessibility, and create more efficient and people-focused urban environments.
Advancing the Future of Autonomous Mobility
The JTA U²C Bay Street Innovation Corridor represents a transformative step forward in urban transportation. Developed as the first phase of JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program, the project establishes the largest urban autonomous vehicle transit corridor in the United States. Designed to modernize mobility throughout Downtown Jacksonville, the corridor integrates autonomous vehicle operations with advanced Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), adaptive traffic signal technology, connected infrastructure, and multimodal enhancements that improve accessibility and connectivity for residents and visitors alike.
WGI’s Role in Delivering the Vision
As part of the Vision to Reality (V2R) team, WGI provided multidisciplinary expertise for the Bay Street Innovation Corridor and Autonomous Innovation Center, including transportation engineering, architecture, structural engineering, MEP engineering, civil engineering, environmental services, and geospatial technology. WGI’s design approach focused on creating infrastructure that is both innovative and adaptable, balancing advanced technology integration with long-term operational functionality and scalability.“Our design was guided by the goal of creating an agile space that not only supports cutting-edge research but also fosters meaningful collaboration between sectors,” said Eric Luttmann, Director of Architecture at WGI Inc. “We’re proud to have partnered on a project that will shape the next era of innovation in Jacksonville and beyond.”The Autonomous Innovation Center was designed to support collaboration, testing, and scalable development while reflecting the forward-thinking mission of the U²C program. Through integrated planning and design, the project establishes a foundation for continued expansion of autonomous transit and smart city infrastructure throughout the region.
Driving Innovation and Community Impact
Beyond its technical achievements, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor is expected to generate long-term economic and community benefits throughout Northeast Florida. By creating a collaborative environment for emerging technology companies, researchers, and mobility leaders, the project is positioned to support job creation, encourage public-private partnerships, and accelerate innovation within the transportation sector.