Port Authority to Test Three Autonomous Shuttle Companies at Newark Airport This Spring

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will test electric self-driving shuttles from three technology companies at Newark Liberty International Airport this spring as part of its evaluation of automated transportation options for the airport’s future development.

The agency announced Feb. 25 that it is partnering with Oceaneering, Ohmio, and Glydways to conduct separate two-week testing periods in a non-public area of the airport. The tests will simulate a high-capacity shuttle network with multiple vehicles operating simultaneously in the complex airport environment, according to the Port Authority.

Oceaneering will conduct its tests in March, followed by Ohmio in late March and Glydways in May. The Port Authority designed the testing program to qualify participating firms for a formal request for proposals that may be issued in 2027.

The autonomous shuttle evaluation connects to the agency’s broader $45 billion infrastructure plan, which includes construction of a new AirTrain Newark system scheduled to open in 2030. The Port Authority is exploring automated connections between existing airport facilities and the new AirTrain system, as well as a planned Terminal B that will be located adjacent to a future AirTrain station.

“As we advance the redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport, we are looking for opportunities to improve our passengers’ time at our airport through unique customer-first experiences as soon as you step onto airport property,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.

O’Toole noted the agency’s previous experience with self-driving technology at airports and described autonomous shuttles as “a safe, efficient solution for moving passengers while we concurrently work to build a new AirTrain Newark and the brand-new Terminal B.”

The spring tests will build on the Port Authority’s multi-year autonomous vehicle demonstration program at its airports. In summer 2024, the agency conducted testing at John F. Kennedy International Airport that allowed members of the public to ride in autonomous vehicles at JFK’s long-term parking lot 9.

Previous demonstrations included tests of autonomous platooned vehicles at JFK’s Aqueduct Parking Lot in 2022 and 2023, making JFK the first North American airport to host a self-driving platoon of three vehicles, according to the Port Authority. The agency also conducted self-driving shuttle tests in mixed traffic at Newark Liberty in 2023 and 2024.

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia emphasized the role of autonomous vehicles in modern transportation. “Autonomous vehicles are in use around the world and around the country, and they are part of the modern travel experience whether in a private car, a for-hire vehicle or on public transit,” Garcia said.

The Newark Liberty initiative aligns with autonomous bus integration efforts at airports internationally and domestically. According to the Port Authority, airports in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Los Angeles and Miami are among those using autonomous bus technology to enhance passenger experience and reduce environmental impact.

All three companies will test zero-emissions vehicles during their designated periods. The Port Authority structured the testing to evaluate how autonomous shuttles could function in Newark Liberty’s specific operational environment while supporting the airport’s sustainability goals.

“We are building a new Newark Liberty that meets the demands of the next generation of travel, so we must embrace a future that is inclusive of all the different ways we can move this region,” Garcia said.

The testing program represents another step in the Port Authority’s comprehensive redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport, which includes both immediate transportation solutions and long-term infrastructure improvements scheduled for completion by 2030.