Nottingham and Leicester Universities combine to develop ‘intelligent mobility’ across the uk’s transport systems
data to develop smart networks University Partner Programme. running events where they can which connect vehicles, The programme was launched in learn about the latest infrastructure and passengers in order to promote collaboration developments, meet academic a way which was unimaginable with businesses and focus on staff involved in the various a few years ago. the development of products research areas and find out how and solutions in the field of to access funding to develop To explore these opportunities, Intelligent Mobility. new technologies and the Transport Systems Catapult applications. (TSC), was established by the Two of the universities taking UK’s innovation agency, the part in the University Partner In addition, some of our Technology Strategy Board, to Programme are our own, the leading researchers will also become the technology and University of Nottingham and spend time at the Transport Professor Sarah Sharples innovation centre for ‘Intelligent also the University of Leicester. Systems Catapult’s world-class Human Factors Research Group, Mobility’. In simple terms, the University of Nottingham Intelligent Mobility is the optimised movement of people and goods; an emerging market which some experts estimate From the start of the will be worth £900bn globally Industrial Revolution to the by 2025. early part of the 20th Century, the UK’s transport systems The TSC helps UK businesses were transformed. New roads, develop solutions to public canals and railways were built transport and freight needs. It and vast numbers of goods harnesses emerging and people were able to technologies to improve the move at speeds hitherto movement of people and goods unthinkable. The reduction in around the country by providing the time involved in moving a network of expertise to help A graphic representation of the weight of traffic in and around London people to their work and the transform ideas into products Our two universities have come 36,000 sq ft “Imovation” Centre and services. It will test the latest speed with which products together to form the Impetus (which combines Intelligent theories on how transport could reach their markets Partnership. The Impetus Mobility and innovation) in drove economic growth and systems interact and function Partnership will focus specifically Milton Keynes, where they will increased wealth. against real-world examples. on three elements - the journey work alongside other academics Today, the volume of traffic on The TSC is one of a new experience, intelligent and industry experts from across our roads is more than 10 times network of technology and infrastructure and future the UK to help develop solutions greater than in 1949 and our innovation centres established transport systems. Together we to the ten main challenges railways carry more passengers by the Technology Strategy will be drawing on the academic identified by the TSC, namely: than at any time since the First Board as a long-term investment expertise of colleagues across World War. The result has been in the UK’s economic capability. our universities, including those 1. Improving the traveller steadily increasing congestion. The Catapults aim to use in other catapult centres such as experience at transport modal cutting-edge research to help Connected Digital Economy and changes – making journeys The government is committed businesses compete in global Satellite Applications, with whom easier and ensuring smooth to invest heavily in infrastructure markets tomorrow by we have close links. transition from one type of through schemes such as transforming ideas into high transport to another. Crossrail and High Speed 2. The Impetus Partnership will value products and services. There is also a realisation that also be helping businesses of all 2. Minimising the impact of unlike during the days of the Earlier this summer, fourteen sizes and from all sectors to get disruption through the use of industrial revolution, there is universities were selected to involved with the work of the adjacent transport networks – now also an opportunity to use support the TSC through the Transport Systems Catapult, by making passengers aware of
14 Science in Parliament Vol 71 No 4 Autumn 2014 solution aimed at the first transport on-demand services. A objective of ‘Improving the research vehicle, ‘the pod’ is traveller experience at modal being developed which can be changes’ can be seen in one of used to trial new technologies. the demonstrations on display at Another major project is in the the “Imovation” centre. A aviation sector. The Departure computer model visualises the Planning Information programme stress levels of people travelling (DPI), is aimed at connecting a in and out of a train station, large number of UK airports into depending on the level of The Transport Systems Catapult aims to better use data to optimise the the European Network Manager movement of people and goods crowding. Various scenarios can to share information. DPI is an be modelled to assess the airport's ability to share real time immediate alternatives when 7. Integrating quality-of-life impact which entrance closures data about when aircraft plan to there is disruption. and city-economy benefits at the station could have on the push back, and the time they are into transport decisions – to 3. Incentivising the provision mood of the people in the area. likely to take-off. This will improve help enable the decision-making of a seamless journey through Such data and models might be information about demand, process to consider the wider modal changes – improving used to test layouts of future capacity and traffic flows. It will impacts and benefits of the design and management of transport hubs to ensure they help integration with other transport systems on individuals, transport interchanges so that are built in the best way possible transport modes such as trains communities, organisations and they are easier to navigate and both socially and efficiently. and buses as well as reducing businesses. stacking time, C0 emissions and more pleasant to use. The man at the helm of the 2 8. Enabling the whole- delays. 4. Providing personalised, new Transport Systems Catapult journey accessibility of contextualised and trusted also has a wealth of experience Even factors such as the impact transport systems – ensuring information which improves in the rail industry as well as the of weather are being explored by that all travellers are able to the traveller experience – make the journey of their taking advantage of increasingly choice, wherever possible. sophisticated technology to help people plan and undertake their 9. Taking a systems approach journeys. to investment and policy in transport infrastructure – the 5. Developing insights from transport sector works across a transport system information number of different areas in an to improve the performance inefficient and uncoordinated of the network – transport manner. A systems approach, systems generate huge amounts where we can identify of data but very little of is used opportunities effective to its maximum potential. collaboration, is key to delivering 6. Offering end-to-end a better transport system overall. mobility as a service – to 10. Delivering seamless develop a global intelligent freight – encouraging freight- Transport Systems Catapult's Chief Executive Steve Yianni (right) shows an mobility market in which the UK specific innovation and interactive table top “demonstrator” of Manchester City Centre’s transport is a world leader. Fundamental to network to Business Secretary, Vince Cable. supporting effective, seamless, this is a clear understanding and journeys for goods as well as for automotive and transport research groups linked to the support for a traveller's whole- people. engineering sectors. Before Catapult. ‘Instant Weather’ journey requirements, from taking up the role of Chief provides access to localised departure point to destination. A practical example of a Executive, Steve Yianni worked weather on a short timescale, as Technical Director of Network helping councils and businesses Rail, where he played a key role to manage better problems such in delivering the industry rail as disruptions, routing and technical strategy. impacts on infrastructure. Work with the TSC will also For more information about the investigate the potential of new Transport Systems Catapult and technologies in rail, road, aviation to find out how to get involved, and water based transport visit ts.catapult.org.uk modes. One project already For details about the work of under way by the TSC which The University of Nottingham could benefit road users is the and the University of Leicester’s Low Carbon Urban Transport ‘Impetus Partnership’ contact Zone (LUTZ). This demonstrates Professor Sarah Sharples on the potential of driverless cars, 0115 95 14196 or email An early concept design of the driverless pods being trialled in Milton cloud-enabled mobility and Keynes next year [email protected]
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