Abstract
The Cambridge Connector will trial a mixed fleet of up to 13 self-driving vehicles providing passenger services around the Cambridge Biomedical and the University’s West Cambridge campus sites leveraging a private 5G network to help ensure continuity of service. The Greater Cambridge region has achieved growth and success on an international scale, but high commuter demand has led to issues of congestion and poor air quality. As Cambridge continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the UK these issues are getting worse. Reduction in private car use is seen as critical in addressing these issues. To achieve this the Greater Cambridge Partnership and partner Cambridgeshire County Council are looking at how technologies such as autonomous vehicles can support public transport networks. The Cambridge Connector project will undertake an at-scale trial of on-demand self-driving vehicles, with up to 13 electric vehicles providing passenger services that integrate with existing public transport in Cambridge. Services will operate on two sites: The University of Cambridge’s West Cambridge Campus and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The 12-month trial will be undertaken in a phased manner supported by thousands of simulated scenarios. The self-driving vehicles will use a 5G connected Remote Monitoring and Tele-Operation service to support autonomous operation and enable a cost-effective deployment. Key to the project is engagement with Stagecoach: providing a self-driving service run by an existing local operator, including its staff and management, ticketing, and payment mechanisms. £8.7 million has been awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £17.4 million. The Cambridge project will pilot on-demand self-driving vehicles. The lead partner Greater Cambridge Partnership is the local delivery body for a City Deal with central government, and working in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council and University of Cambridge. Project partners include: dRisk, Stagecoach East, IPG Automotive UK, Conigital Ltd and Gamma Energy as well as the Greater Cambridge Partnership.
