TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) has launched a real world ‘Living Lab’ environment where connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), services and processes can be safely developed, evaluated and integrated within the local community.
Based in the Royal Borough of Greenwich in London, the UK Smart Mobility Living Lab @ Greenwich is an open innovation environment where vehicles and technologies can be tested in real-world scenarios, alongside existing transport services.
Vehicle manufacturers and technology developers can use the Living Lab to assist with research and development, concept testing and understanding how new technology is perceived in a real world environment.
TRL says the diverse range of transport modes in Greenwich – including roads, buses, underground, rail, Docklands Light Railway, river bus and the Emirates Airline cable car – provides an ‘ideal environment to test the interaction and interoperability of connected and autonomous vehicles in a variety of different environments’.
Rob Wallis, CEO of TRL, said: “The launch of the UK Smart Mobility Living Lab is an important step in the path towards vehicle automation.
“Many organisations are testing autonomous systems in dedicated off-street facilities, but the success of these vehicles largely depends on how they integrate into real world living environments, alongside existing transport services.
“By providing a welcoming and real-life regulatory environment for testing, TRL can help accelerate the adoption of new technology and enable the UK to play a pivotal role in the development of this global market over the next five years.”
Andrew Jones, transport minister, added: “Driverless cars will improve road safety and bring huge benefits to the economy. I am excited to see the UK Smart Mobility Living Lab progress, helping to keep the UK at the forefront of the motoring of the future.”
For more information visit www.uklivinglab.co.uk or watch the Living Lab video.