The SRP is investing in a three-year year project at the Smart Mobility Living Lab: London (SMLL) led by the Transport Research Laboratory and DG Cities – the commercial arm of Digital Greenwich.
SMLL, a set of routes in and around the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (site of the London 2012 Olympics), is expected to offer an urban test environment which involves the public.
The founder members will select and direct research activities which offer an insight into the smart mobility market. The results will feed into the design of sustainable transport systems.
Trevor Dorling, managing director of DG Cities says: “Under the direction of the founding members, the research will provide valuable insights into the way transport is changing and its impact on business, cities and residents.”
Organisations and private enterprises can join the SRP to research or trial connected autonomous vehicles, electrification or new forms of mobility services. SMEs will receive help to find suitable partners for collaboration on research and development.
Lucy Johnson, managing director, underwriting services, for Hastings Direct, says future developments in vehicle technology will change the cars on the road and the way customers view, buy, service and claim their insurance.
The SRP and London trials will allow the company to identify opportunities to collaborate with like-minded organisations, Johnson adds.
Avia, BP, Hastings Direct and 1683 Honda R&D have been named as founding members of a shared research programme (SRP) to test and develop transport technologies in the UK.
