The Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) are seeking innovative ideas from postgraduates, professionals and academics which could accelerate the introduction of autonomous vehicles onto public roads in a competition launching at the Highways UK event at the London ExCel Centre.
The contest will run on the Intelligent Mobility knowledge exchange platformIMExchange hosted by the TSC and ZYNCD. Applicants are asked to submit hardware or software solutions in areas such as services, security, data and urban planning.  A judge panel consisting of three Intelligent Mobility experts will select the most innovative idea.
Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) are a real and immediate global opportunity projected to be worth £51bn annually by 2025. They are also predicted to bring many benefits to transport users and the Transport Network as a whole according to both the TSC and the CIHT.
TSC Chief Technical Officer Paul Zanelli commented:
“There is a huge growth market emerging for autonomous vehicles and we are keen to ensure that the UK remains ahead of the game. Autonomous vehicles will likely bring a whole host of benefits to the transport network including improved road safety, reduced emissions and an improved journey experience. We’re looking forward to seeing how the innovative ideas generated by this competition will bring these benefits sooner, whilst helping to establish the UK as a world leader in the field.”
CIHT, President Sue Sharland said:
“Ways in which transport systems are planned, designed, built, operated and accessed by users have changed beyond recognition over the last 20 years and will change even more over the next 20. Autonomous vehicles will bring huge benefits as well as significant challenges for the sector. We look forward to seeing the ideas and solutions that this competition gives an opportunity to demonstrate.”
Entries can be submitted until the 15th of February 2016 at www.imexchange.co.uk. The winner will be rewarded with an iPad courtesy of Zyncd Limited and exclusive prizes sponsored by CIHT and TSC. The winner announcement will be made on the 16th of May 2016.
For more information, visit ciht.org.uk