Getting around downtown Chattanooga could look very different in the coming years. CARTA has secured a $25 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the largest competitive grant in the agency’s history, to bring autonomous vehicle shuttles to the area. The funding will cover up to six driverless shuttles, a new AV Command Center and Live-Learning Lab, and upgrades to smart infrastructure that allows vehicles to communicate with traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. The shuttles will replace CARTA’s current downtown shuttle fleet while keeping rides free, with the project funded through parking revenue rather than new taxes or fares. CARTA officials say advanced LIDAR technology will help the vehicles interact safely with their surroundings and create a more reliable transportation experience.

The transition will happen in phases, with autonomous shuttles expected to begin operating within the next two years. Renovations at Shuttle Park South are planned within the next 18 months, while the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will partner with CARTA to develop training programs for careers in autonomous vehicle technology. Future job opportunities could include AV maintenance technicians, command center technicians, and onboard safety operators for both high school and college students. For those unsure about driverless transportation, CARTA says human safety operators will remain onboard during the early years of the program as the community becomes familiar with the new technology.

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