CAV Trials

Solihull Council has launched a project to understand how connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) might be integrated into the borough’s transport network in the future.

In this section:

CAV Trials

From bikes to autonomous buses - how we move in the future is likely to be different to how we move today.

Solihull Council is working to understand how the roads of the future need to look, and what role a local authority needs to play in the transition to new technologies. Across a wide portfolio of projects that stretches from new cycling and walking links, to trialling emerging zero emission autonomous vehicle technology, work to help shape the future is under way.

Our Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) pathfinder project has involved working in partnership with a range of organisations to demonstrate real-world uses and learn about the technology. The aim is to better understand how, in the future, residents and visitors might be offered new means of zero emission shared transport and an alternative to single occupancy car journeys.

In 2021 Solihull Council became the first in the UK to purchase its own self-driving shuttle, thanks to funding from The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and West Midlands Combined Authority. This vehicle led to a series of successful passenger trials where the Council worked closely with a number of its largest stakeholders, including the NEC, Birmingham Airport and Birmingham Business Park, to collaboratively learn about the future opportunities the technology will offer.

Building on the success of previous deployments and studies, Solihull Council is currently leading a consortium of ten partners to deliver our most ambitious project yet, Solihull and Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE). 

CAV Image

 

In addition to overseeing physical deployments, Solihull Council has both led, and been partner, in two cutting edge feasibility studies, exploring future application in providing mass transit solutions. Both studies provided extensive learning relating to the pathway to commissioning future services.

Blythe & Rural Automated Vehicles Operations (BRAVO)


East Birmingham to North Solihull Automated Shuttle (EBNS)

Solihull Council is at the forefront of learning about the opportunities within this strategic growth sector. The Council has formed and chairs the Automated Mobility Network (AMN), a network of public bodies with interest and involvement in the CAM sector, and developed the Universal Specification for CAM Services, currently being consulted on nationally. Further to this, Solihull Council has convened a West Midlands CAM network to further consolidate and promote the sector expertise in the region. 

Since 2021 the Council have partnered with the following organisations within their CAM programme:

  • AV Developer: Aurrigo, ZF, Ohmio
  • University: Coventry University; Warwick University
  • Consultancy: Arup; Amey; Syselek
  • Public Sector: Transport for West Midlands; Coventry City Council; National Highways
  • Operator: Liftango
  • AV Simulation: IPG Automotive; dRisk
  • Insurance: Direct Line Group; AXA
  • Cyber Security: Thales
  • Deployment hosts: Birmingham Airport; Birmingham Business Park; National Exhibition Centre; Birmingham Commonwealth Games