As automated passenger services (APS) move from trials to real-world deployment, local authorities and transport operators face new questions about how to plan, specify and procure technologies that are safe, inclusive and future-ready. This webinar brings together leading organisations currently delivering some of the UK’s most advanced autonomous mobility projects to share practical insights for policy, planning and procurement.
Attendees will hear from TRL on their latest report on how vehicle automation affects the accessibility needs of disabled passengers – highlighting design, operational and procurement considerations essential to ensuring APS are inclusive from the outset. Coventry University will discuss lessons from large‑scale, mixed‑traffic autonomous vehicle deployments as part of the SCALE project, including system integration, procurement specifications and working in partnership with local authorities. Alexander Dennis will showcase progress from the Connector project, demonstrating how APS technology is being developed, tested and validated in operational environments.
Designed for local authorities, bus operators, national policymakers and transport planners, this session will provide actionable guidance on APS procurement. A panel discussion will bring together all speakers to enable questions from attendees on real-world lessons from deploying APS, highlighting shared challenges, procurement pitfalls to avoid and practical steps for local authorities preparing for future APS operations.
Join us to build confidence, understand emerging best practice and prepare for the future of bus.
Speakers:
DrGeorge Beard
Head of New Mobility, TRL
George is a Chartered Psychologist with 14-years’ experience delivering social, behavioural and technical research projects in the transport sector. George leads TRL’s work in new mobility, transport accessibility, and monitoring and evaluation, with expertise spanning a diverse array of critical areas, from active travel and micromobility safety to inclusive mobility, electric vehicles, shared mobility and behaviour change. George is passionate about accelerating the adoption of new mobility solutions that are inclusive, sustainable and safe. George has recently led investigations into how to improve the accessibility of emerging transport modes for disabled people, with a particular focus on shared micromobility, car clubs and automated transport.
Kevin Vincent
Director Centre for Connected and Autonomous Automotive Research and National Transport Design Centre
Kevin Vincentis Director of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Automotive Research and the National Transport Design Centre at Coventry University. His role encompasses leading Centres’ relationships with Industry and Government focusing, in particular, on the strategy for Connectivity and Automation in transport, managing stakeholder management with national and local authorities and industry to generate new projects and contribute to driving the research and skills agenda. He has over thirty years’ experience in product and business development in the transportation industry both in private and public sectors with specific interest in EU & nationally-funded collaborative research and development projects.
James Long
Strategic Initiatives Director, TRL
Jamie Wilson
Head of Concepts & Advanced Engineering, Alexander Dennis
Jamie oversees the engineering aspects of all new vehicle developments at Alexander Dennis. As a Chartered Engineer, Jamie has spent over 15 years in the bus industry and shaped successive generations of new bus and coach product including diesel, hybrid, gas, fuel cell and battery electric. Jamie is passionate about public transport, specifically bus product, and an advocate for ensuring it remains universally affordable and accessible for all. As a bus industry professional, Jamie often participates in industry events, groups, workshops and delivers lectures to interest groups on technology developments within the industry.