What is Connector?
We’re working with central government and businesses to deliver a pilot of automated buses as part of our public transport system.
Connector will deliver four vehicles providing passenger services. One automated bus will serve a route from Madingley Road park and ride around the University of Cambridge’s West Cambridge campus and into Eddington.
The second part of the trial will see three automated buses linking Trumpington park and ride and Babraham Road park and ride sites with Cambridge Biomedical Campus from January 2025. Both trials are currently due to complete by the end of March 2025.
Why are we exploring autonomous vehicle technologies?
The exploration of autonomous vehicle technologies is essential for creating a more efficient and inclusive transport network across our area.
We’re using city deal funding to tackle current and future transport problems by delivering multiple projects to create a world-class public transport, walking and cycling network. Autonomous vehicles could play a key part in this as they have several advantages over traditional services, including:
- Greater ability to operate out of hours, extending public transport availability
- Remote operations making services such as rural routes commercially viable
- Linking travel hubs
- Better accessibility for travellers with disabilities
What’s the project aim?
Connector aims to prove technology that allows buses to be safely operated without drivers whilst also helping us to understand how people feel about using automated buses.
It will also examine the commercial and operational case for deploying automated vehicles commercially as part of the public transport system.
Safety is critical in the trial. All buses will have a safety driver on board, and safety cases plus testing in a virtual environment will have taken place before operations begin.
What role could autonomous vehicles have in providing public transport?
Autonomous vehicles could transform public transport by enhancing reliability, safety, and cost-efficiency, while also addressing driver shortages.
This helps to make more routes commercially viable, as it resolves the issue of driver shortages and services can operate longer hours, potentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week on-demand. They make transport more equitable by giving the driver a more customer-facing role that can support access to the bus and to passengers while onboard.
The technology can support the future delivery of bus infrastructure by initially providing guidance technology and, in the future, fully automated operations. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly improve the passenger experience.