This week, I had a great experience at an event primarily attended by senior Civil Servants, run by TTF and led by Andy Graham, Chair of the Connected Vehicle Group. Organised by us, this was the third year we’ve hosted this activity, and it proved to be another successful day.
I won’t go into all the details as TTF and others will be covering those, but I want to share some key takeaways. This was the third year in a row that multiple suppliers came together to demonstrate the “connected” aspect of “connected and autonomous vehicles.” Through TTF, suppliers were invited to submit proposals featuring connected technologies, in-car systems, or data tools, offering a glimpse into the future of vehicle information. Following a review process, selected proposals were given the chance to demonstrate real-world connectivity at the UTAC Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.
Since this was my third year attending, it was impressive to see how these real-world scenarios have evolved during this time. Many of the technologies are already available, but the event brought all the elements together into one connected simulation. The route, which would have been tricky to run on open roads, was mapped out at UTAC to safely simulate a range of situations, including flooding alerts, low bridges, emergency service access, accident obstructions, speed limitations via D-TROs, pedestrian crossings and vulnerable user warnings, temporary traffic management, digital safety signs, and even traffic signal integration and violation alerts directly into vehicles.
The day featured a mix of vehicles, including those from the Police, Fire Brigade, a brand-new London Bus, standard passenger cars, and work vehicles. Unfortunately, no mobile phone photos were allowed, however, TTF will be sharing more details soon.
I spend much of my time reading, listening, researching, and gathering information for our members, so this event was an ideal chance, not just for me, but for many Civil Servants, to step away from the desk and witness the potential of connected data firsthand. It also sparked important conversations about what’s possible and made the case for how much progress the transport technology sector is making.
Huge credit to Darren Capes from the DfT, Andy Graham, and the TTF Connected Vehicles Group for all the behind-the-scenes work. It really was a fantastic showcase of innovation in action.
Paula Claytonsmith, CEO