Projects

LivingLAPT

A living lab for autonomous public transport and logistics services

Project Description

  • Innovation
  • 1 January 2022
  • 31 December 2022
  • UCL
  • €1 281 907

Cities need help to reduce emissions, ensure the safety and mobility of cyclists and pedestrians, and improve quality of life for citizens. Autonomous bus shuttles can be a game changer for cities to address many of these challenges. However, current solutions lack a coordinated regulatory safety framework among European cities. Low public trust and acceptance of new technology along with significant investments, organising insurance and maintaining driver safety, are still notable barriers for cities.

LivingLAPT will also deliver autonomous shuttle logistics services in the City of Ricany nearby Prague in the Czech Republic, Hasselt in Belgium, Kongsberg in Norway, and Helmond in The Netherlands, by phasing out the need for drivers in shuttles and moving toward remote operators. A robust transnational safety framework will be developed and user acceptance and trust developed with citizens, cities, operators, academia, industry, and policymakers. 

Challenge


Behavioural changes particularly amongst citizens to increase acceptance of the use of autonomous vehicles that will contribute to sustainable urban growth, transportation network decongestion, environmental goals, and safer urban transport.

Main Objective


Sustainable autonomous shuttle logistics services phasing out onboard operators and introducing remote operators.

Output


Multi-city autonomous shuttle trials in four European cities following a stepwise process to overcome the current hurdles in user acceptance and trust in using autonomous shuttles from citizens and operators.

Partners


Count14

Project lead


Dr Bani Anvari
UCL
b.anvari@ucl.ac.uk
Professor Helge Wurdemann
UCL
h.wurdemann@ucl.ac.uk