UK Authorities Supporting Autonomous Bus Test Runs with Financial Backing
The United Kingdom is making significant strides in the realm of connected and autonomous mobility (CAM) with several initiatives under the CAM Pathfinder programme. This programme, a part of a 150 million GBP investment under the UK Government's Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, is driving innovation in various sectors, including the Port of Tyne and the bus industry.
One such initiative is the AutonoBus project, led by Fusion Processing. The project aims to commercialise Fusion's AV platform for larger autonomous buses, with a focus on improving reliability, integration, and passenger experience in mixed-use corridors. The CAM Pathfinder funding has been instrumental in allowing the AutonoBus project to move from controlled environments into operational settings.
The AutonoBus project is not alone in its mission. Another significant development is the UK government's funding for autonomous bus pilot projects, as part of the CAM Pathfinder - Enhancements programme. One of these projects, StreetCAV Plus, will deploy a public autonomous shuttle bus in and around central Milton Keynes, led by Smart City Consultancy Ltd. Another, SCALE 2, will operate a public shuttle service linking Birmingham International Rail Station, the NEC campus, and Birmingham Business Park, spearheaded by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
SCALE 2 builds on the success of the initial SCALE project, and the partnership network for SCALE 2 includes IPG, NEC, Coventry University, Ohmio, Coventry City Council, Transport for West Midlands, WMG, and dRISK. Key partners for StreetCAV Plus include ECS, Cablefree, Ohmio, and Milton Keynes City Council.
Other CAM Pathfinder initiatives include DriveSAFESim, which focuses on virtual testing and safety assurance, and Sim4CAMSens 2, which aims to develop advanced sensor models and simulation tools for CAM systems. P-Cal, a CAM Pathfinder initiative, is specifically focused on autonomous container movement at the Port of Tyne.
In addition, RAMP Ready is another initiative that focuses on autonomous baggage dollies and passenger shuttles at airports. The project partners include bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, research partner Edinburgh Napier University, and Fusion Processing.
Connector 2 will extend existing autonomous shuttle trials to cover Cambridge West, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and selected routes on the guided busway network. These projects are delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.
The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), a joint unit of the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Transport, oversees these initiatives. The CAM Pathfinder projects aim to advance the deployment of connected and automated mobility services, paving the way for a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable future for UK's transportation sector.
