Port Authority Tests Autonomous Shuttles at Newark Airport in 2026

Port Authority Launches Autonomous Shuttle Pilot at Newark Airports

On February 25, 2026, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) announced a significant step toward modernizing airport transit by partnering with three autonomous vehicle (AV) companies to conduct pilot tests at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The initiative, scheduled to run from March through May 2026, aims to evaluate self-driving technologies as viable solutions for connecting airport facilities with the new AirTrain Newark system, which is currently under construction and slated to open in 2030.

According to the Port Authority’s announcement, the agency has selected Oceaneering, Ohmio, and Glydways to operate test vehicles in a non-public area of the airport. The trials are designed to simulate a “high-capacity shuttle network” capable of bridging the “last-mile” gap between fixed rail stations and specific terminals or parking areas.

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole emphasized the agency’s long-standing interest in AV technology in a statement regarding the launch:

“We have been working with self-driving technology successfully for many years… and believe autonomous shuttles offer a safe, efficient solution for moving passengers while we concurrently work to build a new AirTrain Newark and the brand-new Terminal B.”

Pilot Program Timeline and Scope

The pilot program is structured to test distinct technological approaches over a three-month period in Spring 2026. Each technology partner will operate for a two-week window to demonstrate their system’s capabilities in a complex airport environment. The schedule is as follows:

• March 2026: Oceaneering (United States)
• Late March 2026: Ohmio (New Zealand)
• May 2026: Glydways (United States)

The primary goal of these tests is to qualify these firms for a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) that the Port Authority may issue in 2027. By evaluating performance now, the agency seeks to identify systems that can seamlessly integrate with the $3.5 billion AirTrain replacement project.

The Technology Partnerships

The selected companies represent three different philosophies regarding autonomous transit, ranging from traditional shuttles to personal rapid transit pods.

Oceaneering, a major industrial engineering firm, will deploy high-capacity Group Rapid Transport (GRT) shuttles. Utilizing Revo-GT technology (formerly 2getthere), these Level 4 autonomous vehicles are designed for dedicated lanes and can carry approximately 22 passengers. Oceaneering has previously deployed similar systems at airports and entertainment districts globally.

Ohmio returns to Port Authority territory after a successful demonstration at JFK Airport in June 2023. The New Zealand-based company will test the Ohmio LIFT, a modular electric shuttle capable of carrying up to 20 passengers. A key feature of Ohmio’s technology is “platooning,” which allows multiple vehicles to virtually connect and move together like a train without physical couplers.

Glydways offers a radically different concept known as Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). Instead of large buses, Glydways utilizes smaller, 4-passenger “pods” that run on dedicated, narrow lanes approximately 5 feet wide. This system relies on continuous, on-demand flow rather than batch processing passengers, aiming to provide point-to-point service without intermediate stops.

Strategic Context: Bridging the Gap

The impetus for this pilot is the ongoing replacement of the aging AirTrain Newark. Construction on the new system began in October 2025, and the new alignment, set to open in 2030, will not directly reach every facility. Specifically, the future Terminal B and certain parking lots may require flexible transit links to connect passengers to the new rail stations.

Kathryn Garcia, Port Authority Executive Director, noted the necessity of adaptable infrastructure:

“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.”

This initiative follows a series of AV tests conducted by the PANYNJ, including platooning tests in the Lincoln Tunnel’s Exclusive Bus Lane in 2022 and mixed-traffic shuttle tests at Newark Airport in 2023 and 2024.

AirPro News Market-Analysis

The Port Authority’s decision to test three distinct AV modalities, heavy shuttles, platooning modular buses, and personal pods, signals a shift in airport infrastructure planning. Historically, airports have relied on heavy, fixed-rail “people movers” that are expensive to build and impossible to move once constructed. By exploring autonomous rubber-tire solutions, Newark Liberty is acknowledging that future terminal layouts (such as the planned Terminal B replacement) require flexible transit options that can be rerouted as construction evolves.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Glydways suggests the agency is seriously considering a departure from traditional mass transit “batching” in favor of personalized, on-demand transport for the final leg of the passenger journey. If successful, this could redefine how passengers navigate the often-stressful transition between rail links and terminal gates.

Sources

Sources: Port Authority of NY & NJ Press Release