Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo will begin manually testing its autonomous vehicles at Newark Liberty International Airport, marking the company’s first step toward expanding its robotaxi operations into New Jersey and the larger New York metropolitan area.

The company said it will conduct the testing in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Human drivers will remain behind the wheel as Waymo vehicles map the airport grounds and assess pickup and drop-off zones.

The pilot program will help the company evaluate how its technology handles the complex traffic patterns and security restrictions typical of a major airport. Waymo said the data collected will inform plans for future driverless service, though no date has been set for fully autonomous operations.

The move marks Waymo’s latest expansion beyond its current service areas in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Newark Liberty, one of the nation’s busiest airports, serves as a key transportation hub for the broader New York region.

Airport roadways, often crowded with taxis, rideshares and shuttles, present a challenging environment for autonomous vehicles.

The Port Authority did not comment on how long the testing phase would last or whether passengers might eventually be able to hail autonomous rides to and from the airport.