Skip to main content

SRP to accelerate development of future transport systems in UK

Avia, BP, Hastings Direct and Honda R&D have been named as founding members of a shared research programme (SRP) to test and develop transport technologies in the UK. The SRP is investing in a three-year year project at the Smart Mobility Living Lab: London (SMLL) led by the Transport Research Laboratory and DG Cities – the commercial arm of Digital Greenwich. SMLL, a set of routes in and around the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (site of the London 2012 Olympics), is
October 1, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Avia, BP, Hastings Direct and 1683 Honda R&D have been named as founding members of a shared research programme (SRP) to test and develop transport technologies in the UK.


The SRP is investing in a three-year year project at the Smart Mobility Living Lab: London (SMLL) led by the Transport Research Laboratory and DG Cities – the commercial arm of Digital Greenwich.

SMLL, a set of routes in and around the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (site of the London 2012 Olympics), is expected to offer an urban test environment which involves the public.

The founder members will select and direct research activities which offer an insight into the smart mobility market. The results will feed into the design of sustainable transport systems.

Trevor Dorling, managing director of DG Cities says: “Under the direction of the founding members, the research will provide valuable insights into the way transport is changing and its impact on business, cities and residents.”

491 TRL will provide project management and insights and research in intelligent mobility. DG Cities will offer insights on the integration of future transport services into a smart city environment.

Organisations and private enterprises can join the SRP to research or trial connected autonomous vehicles, electrification or new forms of mobility services. SMEs will receive help to find suitable partners for collaboration on research and development.

Lucy Johnson, managing director, underwriting services, for Hastings Direct, says future developments in vehicle technology will change the cars on the road and the way customers view, buy, service and claim their insurance.

The SRP and London trials will allow the company to identify opportunities to collaborate with like-minded organisations, Johnson adds.

Related Content

  • April 1, 2014
    UK organisations participate in EU green urban transport project
    The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), along with partners Transport and Travel Research (TTR) and several other leading UK organisations, are taking part in a 42-month innovative demonstration project which is investigating zero emission urban bus systems. The project, known as ZeEUS, is being co-ordinated by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and is co-funded by the DG Mobility and Transport of the European Commission with a budget of US$31 million (US$18.6 million EU fun
  • February 28, 2019
    TRL develops vehicle safety standards for Europe
    Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has developed new vehicle safety standards which it claims will save 25,000 lives and assist European countries in the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Matthias Seidl, senior researcher - vehicle safety & regulation at TRL, says the advanced safety measures will protect all road users. “Intelligent speed assistance and drowsiness and distraction recognition will support drivers in their ongoing tasks, autonomous emergency braking and emergency lane keeping wi
  • December 16, 2014
    Dynamic charging boosts electric vehicles’ potential
    With an increasing need to use electric vehicles in city centres to reduce pollution, David Crawford looks at various solutions to power delivery. The UN’s September 2014 Climate Summit has added fresh momentum to the drive to increase urban electric vehicle (EV) takeup. It has launched the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative, which wants to see EVs accounting for 30% of all urban travel by 2030, and make cities worldwide more friendly to their use. Encouragingly, the plan is being well supported by commerci
  • October 23, 2015
    NEC to work with Royal Borough of Greenwich for smart city solutions
    NEC Corporation has announced today that NEC Europe has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Royal Borough of Greenwich in London to collaborate on the use of big data analytics and visualisation to improve public and commercial services for local residents, as part of the newly-announced Greenwich Smart City Strategy. Digital Greenwich, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, promotes the development of the digital economy in the borough. This includes developing inn