Strong case for diverting HS2 cash to self-driving

4 January 2024  

In October, as the fallout from the cancellation of HS2 continued, The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) quietly announced the recipients of £1.3 million in joint government and industry funding “to study the feasibility of self-driving mass transit solutions across the UK.”

The following six projects will explore how self-driving can be cheaper, emit less carbon, and increase transport safety and security:

Autonomous Healthlink will study a zero emission self-driving system on a segregated route between Seaton Delaval Station and the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. Blythe Rural Automated Vehicle Operations will study a shuttle service connecting Blythe Valley Business Park to the UK Central Hub.

Commercialising Connected and Automated Vehicle Services in the Scottish Highlands and Islands will study the commercial potential of a self-driving link between Inverness and the Isle of Skye Dromos Connected and Automated System will study an on-demand 24/7 self-driving system running on a decommissioned railway between Bolton Transport Interchange and the Royal Bolton Hospital Herts Lynx Connected and Automated Mobility On-Demand will study a self-driving service connecting Maylands to Harpenden Station and St Albans.

Integrated Mixed Traffic Mobility for Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit extends an existing study examining “Dedicated Driverless Spaces” linking Watford and St Albans town centres.

Perhaps some of these exciting projects might actually happen, and deliver incredible value for money.