UK government gets future mobility challenge underway

The UK government has unveiled plans under its Future of Mobility Grand Challenge which could change how people, goods and services move around the country.

These initiatives have been outlined in the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Last Mile GOV website link false https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-last-mile-a-call-for-evidence false false%> and %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Future of mobility call for evidence GOV website link false https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-mobility-call-for-evidence false false%>, which provide an insight into how technology could make transport safer, more accessible and greener.

Under the plans, electric cargo bikes, vans, quadricycles and micro vehicles could replace vans in UK cities as part of a strategy to change last-mile deliveries as well as reduce emissions and congestion.

As part of the challenge, the UK government has confirmed £12.1m of funding for %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external six projects Gov report false https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/730211/cav-sim-projects.pdf false false%> relating to simulation and modelling to help develop Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs).

These projects include OmniCAV – an initiative led by startup Latent Logic to develop a testing certification tool to be used by accreditation bodies, insurers and manufacturers to accelerate the development of CAVs. In addition, Jaguar Land Rover is leading a consortium under a simulation project called COSMOS in a bid to reduce sensor interference in traffic to improve safety. 

The UK government has used its ‘Future of Mobility’ call for evidence to outline %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external trends Gov challenge link false https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-kick-starts-work-on-future-of-mobility-grand-challenge false false%> on cleaner transport, automation, data and connectivity, new modes, shared mobility, changing consumer attitudes and new business models such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS). It is expecting these trends to lead to safer and more accessible transport as well as offer cleaner journeys.

Through the Future of Mobility Challenge, the government intends to ensure all regulatory barriers to technological and service innovation are explored. Work will also be carried out to understand how data can be better used to improve transport.

Johan Herrlin, CEO at Ito World, says new MaaS business models, shared mobility and greater use of public transport and autonomous cars will drive down private car ownership and have a significant impact on reducing congestion and pollution in city centres.

“But for these revolutionary trends to work, high-quality data – delivered in real-time – must be at the fore. People will only change their travel habits if they can trust the information they receive, plan their journeys and have a good user experience. Otherwise it all falls apart,” Herrlin adds.