Original article by: BUILDER Online Magazine
 

Mattamy Homes has partnered with Beep, a Florida-based “mobility as a service provider” to offer autonomous shuttle service at and around Mattamy Homes’ Tradition community in Port St. Lucie, Florida. This marks the first autonomous shuttle location in Southwest Florida, and makes up part of the community’s Tradition Trail community mobility network.

The nine-seat electric shuttle vehicles will carry passengers around the Tradition Trail’s initial loop on a dedicated lane, beginning at Mandelie, the first community in the master plan, and stopping at Tradition Town Square and the Landing Shopping Center. An onboard specialist and remote monitor at Beep’s Global Command Center in Orlando will monitor the shuttle, which will go at a maximum of 15 miles per hour.

Beep has previously established a network of autonomous vehicles at Lake Nona in Central Florida, and will launch a similar service at Yellowstone National Park in May. “Mattamy’s vision, with the backing of the city of Port St. Lucie, will create an alternative to cars that will make the most traveled roads and community safer, eco-friendly, and more enjoyable for everyone,” says Joe Moye, CEO of Beep. “Residents will have greater access to safe, reliable, high-quality transportation.”

As the community grows, Mattamy plans to add miles of “experiential trailheads” across the community, with paths for shuttles, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The company plans to introduce electric bicycles by Elby Mobility to the community next year.

“We are committed to making Tradition the destination for people seeking a higher quality of life,” says Dan Grosswald, president of Mattamy’s Southeast Florida Division. “Our partnership with Beep is just the first step by providing residents greater freedom to travel how, where, and when they want.”

Mattamy Homes plans to construct 8,500 single-family homes and 150 acres of commercial property across a 2,780-acre site purchased in 2018. Construction has started at Manderlie, as well as Telaro, a 55-plus active adult community with 400-plus homesites and resort-style amenities. Shuttle service and routes will be ready for service by the end of 2020, with frequent cleaning, reduced capacity, and onboard hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in place.