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Sunderland takes next step in self-driving transportation journey

Posted: 12 March 2024 | | No comments yet

Following the arrival of the first self-driving Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle in the city, the training phase will begin in April 2024 before beginning operation in Spring 2024.

Sunderland takes next step in self-driving transportation journey

Credit: Sunderland Smart City

Sunderland is set to embrace a new era of mobility with the arrival of the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS), marking a significant milestone in the city’s journey towards self-driving transportation, as well as providing training opportunities and new cutting-edge skills. 

Having arrived in the city at the end of February 2024, SAMS represents a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionising urban mobility and enhancing accessibility for residents and visitors alike. The shuttle will soon be transporting passengers when it takes to the streets in Spring 2024. 

Following its arrival, the focus now shifts towards operator training, equipping on-board safety attendants with the necessary skills to oversee and manage autonomous operations effectively. This training phase starts in April 2024 and underscores Sunderland’s commitment to ensuring the safe and efficient integration of self-driving technology into its transportation ecosystem.

Moreover, preparations are underway to commence the mapping of the route, a crucial step towards creating a comprehensive and accurate map of SAMS’ operational area. By meticulously mapping the shuttle’s route, authorities aim to optimise its navigation capabilities and ensure seamless travel experiences for passengers.

The SAMS project will trial three self-driving zero-emission autonomous shuttles, designed specifically for SAMS by Aurrigo, which will transport passengers on public roads between Sunderland Interchange, the University of Sunderland City Campus and the Sunderland Royal Hospital. Whilst safety operators will always be on-board, the project will develop and demonstrate a cyber-secure remote supervision protocol, which is an important step towards commercial deployment. 

This cutting-edge self-driving shuttle is poised to redefine transportation norms and pave the way for a smarter, more sustainable future in Sunderland and beyond. The shuttle will run along an intelligent transport corridor, enabled by 5G small cells which are being installed along the vehicle route by Boldyn Networks.

The project has been awarded £3 million by the UK Government and matched by industry to a total £6 million. The SAMS initiative is one of six successful CAM Deployment UK projects from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) Deployment competition. The grants, which are part of the CCAV’s Connected and Automated Mobility programme, are supported by CCAV, Innovate UK and Zenzic.

The project is led by Sunderland City Council in partnership with Aurrigo, Stagecoach, ANGOKA Ltd, Newcastle University, Swansea University and Boldyn Networks.

“As we prepare to welcome the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle to our city streets, we are embarking on an exciting journey towards a more connected and sustainable future,” said Patrick Melia, Chief Executive at Sunderland City Council. 

“SAMS represents a significant leap forward in our efforts to embrace innovation and improve the quality of life for our residents. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that this self-driving shuttle will have on urban mobility across Sunderland,” he added.

Sunderland’s Mayor, Councillor Dorothy Trueman, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the innovative SAMS shuttle to Sunderland, marking the beginning of a new era in urban mobility for our residents and visitors.

“The arrival of SAMS signifies Sunderland and the wider region’s position as a forward-thinking location, leading the way in adopting transformative technologies that enhance the lives of our community members.”

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