UK well positioned to benefit from autonomous lorries, says Inrix

Driver shortage, commercially-viable roads and Brexit uncertainty position the UK to develop and benefit from autonomous freighting, says Inrix. The analytics company's latest report has identified the A1 from Sheffield to Edinburgh as the most suitable corridor for testing highly automated vehicles (HAV). The Inrix Automated Freight Corridor Assessment reveals the next best-suited corridor is the M5/A38 from Plymouth to Birmingham, followed by the M4 from Swindon to Swansea.
September 24, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Driver shortage, commercially-viable roads and Brexit uncertainty position the UK to develop and benefit from autonomous freighting, says 163 Inrix. The analytics company's latest %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external report false http://inrix.com/press-releases/automated-freight-uk/ false false%> has identified the A1 from Sheffield to Edinburgh as the most suitable corridor for testing highly automated vehicles (HAV).


The Inrix Automated Freight Corridor Assessment reveals the next best-suited corridor is the M5/A38 from Plymouth to Birmingham, followed by the M4 from Swindon to Swansea.

Inrix believes a successful deployment of autonomous lorries could address the shortage of qualified HGV drivers in the UK and the uncertainty of freedom of movement after Brexit.  

The company refers to a %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external report false https://fta.co.uk/compliance-and-advice/economy/skills-shortage/skills-shortage false false%> by the 6983 Freight Transport Association, which confirmed a lack of 52,000 qualified HGV lorry operators in the UK during 2017, with 14% of the workforce consisting of EU nationals.

Avery Ash, autonomous vehicle market strategist at Inrix, says HAVs require smart planning to prevent them from clogging roads, increasing pollution and presenting safety issues.

“Fortunately, our data analysis shows that there are a range of roads in the UK that are both suitable and commercially viable for trial and initial deployment of autonomous freight vehicles,” Ash adds.

Inrix ranked the M6 from Manchester to Glasgow, stretching nearly 215 miles, as the most feasible route for commercial returns due to low congestion. It is followed by the A1 from Sheffield to Edinburgh and then by the M5/A38 from Plymouth to Birmingham.

According to Inrix, the M25 circling London is the top corridor which requires safety improvements due to its levels of dangerous slowdown incidents per mile. The M6 from Coventry to Manchester comes in at second place, followed by and the M5/A38 from Plymouth to Birmingham.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Cisco’s low-cost fibre optic solution for traffic monitoring
    March 21, 2018
    Cisco’s display focuses on a novel way of detecting traffic speeds, congestion and incidents without the use of loops. The company is using a fibre optic cable positioned alongside the road and down which it shines a light. Vibration created by passing vehicles create vibration which disrupts the passage of the light. Cisco has developed algorithms that can translate these disruptions to determine what type of vehicle is passing, in which direction, the lane it is using and the speed it is travelling. The
    Read More
  • Sensys launches Vehicle Detection System 2.0
    September 9, 2014
    Sensys Networks launched a new version of its Vehicle Detection System in Detroit, improving the solution’s wireless range and coverage, extending battery life and enhancing security features. VDS 2.0 hardware upgrades include an enhanced flex repeater, access point controller card, grind resistant sensor and vehicle identification and matching system. Sensys Networks is also touting its partnership with Acyclica to combine travel time information and vehicle volume data in a single system. The joint soluti
    Read More
  • A warm welcome to CARTES Secure Connexions Event 2013
    November 19, 2013
    Welcome to this 28th edition of CARTES Secure Connexions Event - nearly 30 years of enabling global synergies at a human and technological level CARTES is the world’s leading exhibition dedicated to secure solutions for payment, identification and mobility. Since its creation in Paris in 1985, CARTES has become the industry’s premier show – and this 2013 edition brings together more than 450 exhibitors who have come to present their products and services to 20,000 visitors from 140 countries.
    Read More
  • Denso acquires US automotive diagnostic information company
    November 5, 2018
    Denso has acquired Ease Simulation, a US company which develops automotive diagnostics technology. Richard Shiozaki, senior vice president of Denso Products and Services Americas, says the deal is part of a long-term strategy to offer new value for mobility. Ease will now merge with Denso Products and Services America, an automotive components subsidiary based in California. Ease also offers automotive inspection software, automotive emissions equipment and automotive telematics systems.
    Read More

Highlighted Content