Improving Local Transport with Self-Driving Vehicle Technology

author: FutureCar Staff    

Six projects have been awarded Government and industry funding to conduct feasibility studies on the potential benefits of self-driving vehicle technology in improving local transport. The areas that will benefit from the £1.3 million funding include Northumberland, Solihull, Inverness, and the Isle of Skye.

The studies will focus on how self-driving vehicle technology can contribute to cheaper transportation, reduced carbon emissions, and increased safety and security. These grants are part of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles' Commercialising Connected and Automated Mobility program, which aims to gather evidence on the utilization of emerging transport technologies.

In addition to this funding, there has been nearly £850,000 of joint Government and industry funding awarded to four feasibility studies. These studies are investigating potential routes where automated vehicles could operate exclusively to alleviate congestion in specific areas. The areas under consideration include the A414 through Hertfordshire and Essex, parts of Eastern Cambridge, Birmingham and Solihull, and Milton Keynes.

The first project receiving joint funding is Autonomous Healthlink in Northumberland. This project aims to study the feasibility of a zero-emission self-driving system on a segregated route between Seaton Delaval Station and the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington. The goal is to increase accessibility to the hospital and support the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's plan to develop the site and expand patient services.

The second project, Blythe Rural Automated Vehicle Operations in the West Midlands, will focus on the feasibility of a shuttle service utilizing two different self-driving vehicle technologies. The service will operate on a short hop of the Strategic Road Network on the M42 and within the Midlands Future Mobility initiative. If successful, the outcomes from this study could inform self-driving mobility challenges nationwide.

The third project, Commercialising Connected and Automated Vehicle Services in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, will explore the commercial potential of a self-driving vehicle service in the region. The service will connect Inverness College University of the Highlands and Islands Campus to key locations in Inverness and provide a link for ferry passengers to public transport at Uig Pier on the Isle of Skye.

The fourth project, Dromos Connected and Automated System in Bolton, will study the feasibility of an on-demand, 24/7 self-driving system running on a decommissioned railway corridor. This system will connect the Bolton Transport Interchange to the Royal Bolton Hospital and consider the potential for expansion and integration with other infrastructure and mobility projects.

The fifth project, HertsLynx Connected and Automated Mobility On-Demand in Hertfordshire, will investigate a self-driving service using on-demand responsive transport technology. This service will serve passengers in the Maylands Business Park region, connecting Maylands to Harpenden Station and St Albans.

The final project, Integrated Mixed Traffic Mobility for Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit, extends a study examining the feasibility of Dedicated Driverless Spaces for articulated buses. These buses will operate on segregated routes and public roads of the Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit network, linking Watford and St Albans town centers.

FutureCar Staff