Milton Keynes City Council has announced that it successfully secured £200,000 from the UK government to research the benefits of implementing a high-speed driverless transport network across the city.
Advanced Very Rapid Transport (AVRT) is a new concept in mass transit that involves using automated vehicles on segregated routes, which are built specifically for this purpose.
The money secured from central government will be used to commission a study to determine how the AVRT project could work within the city’s current and proposed transport infrastructure.
What’s more, the research project will also look into how the network could be aligned with the local authority’s ambitions to deliver improved urban design and sustainable growth through its New City Plan.
“Delivering a sustainable and effective transport system is exactly what we need to do as a modern smart city,” said Pete Marland, councillor and leader of Milton Keynes City Council.
“A project like this will not only enable us to move faster, it will also open up new gateways into our city, attracting a wider range of people to live, work and set up their businesses here.
“This study will help us look at how we make the most of the opportunities AVRT presents to bring cleaner and affordable travel to MK.”
One key element of the study will be how AVRT could deliver future transport solutions and provide fast, frequent and reliable public transport. Several major routes both in and around Milton Keynes will be the focus of the study.
By investing in a modern mass transit system, the council hopes to achieve smart city status for Milton Keynes.