Taking the first steps towards autonomous vehicle trials

Smart Cambridge, a workstream within the Greater Cambridge Partnership, are working with their partners (RDM Group), on a project funded by InnovateUK to trial the use of autonomous vehicles. The trial will examine the feasibility of the technology being used as part of a public transport offering in Cambridge. The University of Cambridge has agreed that the West Cambridge Site can be used as the location for the trials. Towards the end of November, the project team will be arriving on site to begin manually driving the vehicle around the route to map it for use by the autonomous systems later in the trial. You’ll be able to find out more information, including how to get involved, in October as the project is officially launched. In the meantime, you can visit the Smart Cambridge website here to read about this and other exciting projects that the team are working on.

City-wide cycle crime working group

The University has a representative on a newly formed city-wide cycle crime working group. The group is also comprised of representatives from the Police, City Council, County Council, Neighbourhood Watch and Camcycle. The three themes being discussed currently are Education, Infrastructure and Enforcement. It is hoped that some short-term and longer-term workstreams can emerge to reduce cycle crime, as well as joining up efforts to combat the problem.

Cyclists are reminded to:

• Use a gold rated D lock (or two), and always secure to a fixed object, such as a cycle rack.
• Record the frame number of the bike and take photographs, as this information can help to recover the bike if stolen.
• Consider recording your bike on Bike Register which can also help recover the bike if stolen.
• Be vigilant – if you see suspicious activity around areas of cycle parking inform the Police by telephoning 101.

Written by Jo Beale