HertsLynx CAM On-Demand

If we are to achieve our decarbonisation targets in the mobility sector, then we must look to innovation to fill the gaps in the public transport network. As described in principle 8 of the Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy; New mobility services must be designed to operate as part of an integrated transport system combining public, private and multiple modes for transport users.

HertsLynx AV will be analysing the potential for an CAM On-Demand Mass Transit service in the Maylands Business Park region of Hertfordshire. The area is home to market leaders in logistics and distribution with more than 650 businesses that employ over 20,000 people. The combination of CAM and On-Demand Transport (DRT) has not been considered in the UK at a specific location and this could pave the way for the first of a kind UK scheme being operational.

We strongly believe that CAM service or On-Demand Service on their own won't make the gains in efficiency and operation that the transport sector needs but combined are a huge advancement. We consider that these go hand in hand with Electric or Hydrogen drive chain by default.The reason we have chosen this site is that the site is located around 6 miles from the St Albans Train Station and 7 miles to Harpenden Train Station with no direct bus link. Currently, the journey from St Albans takes around 50 - 60 minutes using 2 buses, whereas the car journey takes 15 minutes. There is currently no reasonable bus link from Harpenden station.

Therefore, a semi-flexible autonomous bus service could provide a vital link from the Thameslink services from Bedford - Brighton which currently doesn't link to the business park.

We would look to add an element of On-Demand scheduling into the feasibility study which would allow the autonomous bus to operate flexibly in the business park (along suitable corridors) and then turn into a fixed service to St Albans Station or Harpenden Station.