Solihul & Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE)

To make self-driving vehicle operations commercially viable, and offset current technology and driver costs, they must operate as efficiently as possible. This project therefore proposes a multi-area, multi-application self-driving operation, underpinned by a 5G-based, central, Remote Monitoring Teleoperation (RMTO) system.

We will operate a mixed fleet of 13 self-driving vehicles, moving passengers between Solihull rail station and Birmingham Business Park, and between Coventry rail station and Coventry University campus. These routes have a known, current, need for alternative transport and offer an ideal platform from which to develop commercial self-driving solutions. To maximise efficiency, and improve commercialisation opportunity, the Coventry operation will utilise the same vehicles at off-peak to make local University mail and parcel deliveries.

To deliver this ambitious project, the consortium includes technology organisations, academia, transport authorities, insurance companies, local councils, and industry specialists.

The central RMTO will monitor the fleet and ensure difficult situations can be remotely overcome.

The self-driving vehicles will use a common self-driving solution including:

* A lift-and-shift vehicle automation stack,
* An advanced asset management system,
* A Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app.

The self-driving platform will be enhanced to a L4 capability with the intention to remove the on-board supervisor from the vehicle - leveraging the RMTO.

Extensive verification and validation will be undertaken, including:

* Evolution of simulation environment
* Edge-case utilisation to enhance AV performance
* Specific RMTO operational considerations and minimum risk manoeuvres
* In-depth safety assessment based on operations without on-board operator(s)

The project will have an extended phased trial across both locations:

* Phase 1 -- engineer supervisors on board
* Phase 2 -- trained supervisors on board
* Phase 3 -- RMTO-only

The project will demonstrate and further develop an understanding of:

* Commercial viability of self-driving operations, and the influence that central RMTO, shared fleets, and multi-application aspects have on the business case
* Passenger value and pricing components of such services
* Ongoing operational practices, including insurances, repair and maintenance, fleet ownership and service operation
* Verification and validation of L4 systems
* Human factors and development of remote assistance and driving

Core outputs from the project will be:

* Phased trials and operation
* Business case with a clear route to commercialisation of such services in other parts of the country

The ideal intention of the consortium is to demonstrate commercial viability and continue the services beyond the project as commercial operations, serving Solihull and Coventry, with a route to delivering similar services elsewhere in the UK.