The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has welcomed two new partners for its self-driving bus project, Connector, as it seeks to bring autonomous buses to Cambridge.
Alexander Dennis Ltd and Fusion Processing Ltd, British bus manufacturer and provider of automated drive systems respectively, were invited to join the consortium ahead of the first vehicle’s trial launch.
The Connector consortium, led by the GCP, also includes Gamma Energy, IPG Automotive, dRISK and Stagecoach, and is funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and industry partners.
Chair of the GCP’s executive board, Elisa Meschini, said: “For Cambridge to thrive now and in the future, the area needs the infrastructure and mass public transport systems to cope with the demand – autonomous vehicles are one part of this solution.
“It will be really exciting to see what was once considered to be fanciful science fiction to be out on our roads giving people choice in how they travel so I look forward to seeing how the pilots go.”
All the self-driving buses will operate with a safety driver onboard for the duration of the trials, ensuring enhanced safety and oversight throughout the project.
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The trial for the first self-driving vehicle is now set to start running in late summer 2024 and will serve a route from the Madingley Road Park & Ride site around the University of Cambridge’s West Cambridge Campus and into Eddington.
The second part of the trial will see three self-driving buses, provided by Alexander Dennis Ltd, offering services from the Trumpington Park & Ride and Babraham Park & Ride sites to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus from early 2025.
Both services will run in addition to the existing public transport options in the city.
CEO of Fusion Processing Ltd, Jim Hutchinson, said: “Our CAVStar Automated Drive System will provide the sensors, control modules and software that will allow the project vehicles to drive autonomously on the Cambridge routes, showcasing a safe and efficient new type of public transport system.”
Achievements and innovations in connected autonomous vehicles will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
