Bellrock Technology is utilising Lumen® to aid in training rolling stock lessor Angel Trains to adopt a data-centric approach for monitoring, maintaining, and managing its assets. Angel owns 30% of the UK’s passenger rolling stock and has invested over £5 billion in new trains. Lumen is an AI-powered cloud solution that provides Angel with access to data.

This technology has enabled Angel Trains to efficiently deliver proof of concept projects for testing and evaluation without requiring a dedicated software engineering team, thus minimising costs. Angel has initiated investigations to comprehend assets’ behaviour and to develop advanced data analytics that reports issues early and identify areas for improvement.

These insights will facilitate more accurate assessments of assets’ condition and enable proactive decision-making when necessary. The collaboration is exploring how these insights can be shared with operators to enhance performance across the UK’s passenger network.

A safety initiative was implemented along the A78 corridor, specifically between Pennyburn Roundabout and the rail bridge, addressing concerns highlighted by Transport Scotland and Amey, where 50% of the corridor’s collisions were recorded.

South/East bound experienced an overrepresentation of collisions in dark and wet conditions in non-street lit areas, while North/West bound collisions were predominantly shunt-type incidents on approach to the 40mph limit and roundabout, possibly due to varying rates of vehicle deceleration. This recurrent issue was identified with the 85th percentile speed needing to be more unacceptably high, particularly among HGVs. Amey collaborated with Clearview Intelligence to develop and implement an effective solution, installing solar-powered road studs throughout the interchange to improve lighting conditions.

Clearview Intelligence introduced a sustainable vehicle count and classification system powered by solar and wind. Vehicles driving above the national speed limit are detected by inductive loops, triggering a Vehicle Activated Sign wirelessly. A Slow Down message is then displayed specifically to the vehicle’s speed classification using the LPSIG9 class scheme. Consideration was taken to accommodate the 2-lane dual carriageway, with two signs installed on the verge. This vehicle-activated, dynamic speed warning system serves as an obvious and immediate reminder to drivers to monitor and manage their speeds appropriate to their vehicle’s classification.

The scheme’s first-year rate of return is 57.49%, demonstrating its cost-effectiveness in enhancing road safety and reducing the risk of collisions.

Cycling Scotland’s monitoring efforts aim to enhance the accessibility and availability of active travel data. In 2023, the redesigned Cycling Open Data portal was launched. Based on extensive feedback regarding functionality and usability, the portal has been redeveloped with a more diverse user base in mind, including local authority planners, engineering consultants, and local community groups.

The updated portal now incorporates real-time automatic cycle counter data from over 700 sites in all 32 Scottish local authorities, alongside 142 national mode share traffic surveys and various additional datasets such as Bikeability Scotland training, bike share schemes, and longitudinal data on Attitudes and Behaviours Towards Cycling in Scotland. Integrating data from over 22 providers, including local authorities, regional transport partners, and transport networks, enables the baseline activity to be assessed across Scotland.

Through collaboration with walking charity Paths for All, Cycling Scotland addressed the lack of walking data available in Scotland by incorporating walking data from over 500 counters across 14 partner networks. This data consolidation into an easily accessible platform facilitates more effective, purpose-driven decision-making, delivering well-designed sustainable spaces.

Users have reported that the refreshed interface is more easily accessible, with statistics, 3D maps, and data visualisation enhancing the user experience significantly. Non-technical visitors to the portal now receive greater support through an interactive walkthrough and enhanced user support. Since the portal’s redesign, Cycling Scotland has witnessed a 56% increase in engagement with the main dashboard from various organisations. These organisations, such as Porty Community Energy and Lochaber Environmental Group, have utilised the portal to inform their projects, while Glasgow’s Council has utilised it to inform their South City Way cycling route. The portal has been identified as a national exemplar, with both the National Transport Authority in Ireland and Transport for Wales seeking to replicate the tool in their respective nations.

Fugro’s RILA technology addresses the longstanding issue of infrastructure gauging data on the Scottish (and UK) rail network. The RILA system is a remote, train-mounted survey solution that provides real-time monitoring of railway assets, such as track geometry and rail wear. This technology enables Network Rail to capture and access frequently updated high-quality track and asset data across Scotland. The RILA system continuously scans the surrounding environment, including areas manual gauging may have missed.

The RILA Scotland gauging survey for Network Rail documented 669 station platforms, 110 tunnels, 7,823 bridges and viaducts, 3,203 signals, and 15,926 retaining walls. Fugro’s contributions to the National Gauging Database identified over 5,000 previously unrecorded structures. The technology also offers significant health and safety benefits by reducing on-track exposure for personnel by 26,675 hours, preventing 72 minor injuries and three major injuries.

Fugro’s RILA technology has the potential to support the Scottish Government’s rail electrification ambitions aimed at decarbonising passenger services by 2035. Given the network’s topographical, geographical, and vegetation-related clearance issues, accurate asset surveys will be invaluable in helping Network Rail understand and address these challenges. This technology demonstrates cost efficiencies without compromising standards or safety, representing a strong entry in the effort to modernise railway infrastructure.

Led by the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) was established under the UKRI Future Flight Challenge programme. SATE has emerged as a UK Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Regional Aviation Systems, facilitating demonstrations of novel aviation technologies and promoting clean innovation in a real-world, operational setting. The project involves 15 consortium members with a budget of approximately £14.5 million.

At Kirkwall Airport in Orkney, physical infrastructure has been implemented to support alternatively fuelled aircraft. This includes a dedicated hangar, various electrical outputs for electric aircraft charging, and an electrolyser for hydrogen-fuelled aircraft. In 2021, the first UK flight of a hybrid/electric passenger aircraft occurred between Wick and Kirkwall. In 2023, SATE witnessed the test flight of the largest VTOL UAV in Europe at Wick John O’Groats Airport from ARC Aerosystems. Additionally, Hybrid Air Vehicles completed a concept study on the Airlander, the world’s most efficient large aircraft, which can provide cost-effective, low-emission passenger and freight transport to Highland and Island communities.

SATE received multiple accolades in 2023, including the Aerospace and Defence Award at the Collaborate to Innovate Awards, the Rural Transport Award from SRITC, and the Team Award at the Aerospace Technology Institute Conference. In 2024, SATE plans to extend flight operations, including hub-and-spoke autonomous cargo networks across the Islands, and potentially an international flight to Norway. SATE will also continue collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to implement a large trial area of unsegregated airspace.

SRL, Europe’s largest temporary traffic light manufacturer and hirer, collaborates with local authorities, contractors, and traffic management companies to deliver innovative, intelligent traffic solutions. One such solution is SRL’s Haul Route PLUS, a bespoke automated barrier control system that provides full control of road and access closures for both private sites and public roads. This system is unique in being completely wireless, eliminating manual activation procedures and enhancing workforce safety.

The Haul Route PLUS system utilises integrated solar panels (SRL Solar PLUS) on all components, including CCTV, variable message signs (VMS), and barriers. This design significantly reduces the need for costly battery exchanges. The low-maintenance solution also reduces workers’ need to man entrance points or perform battery exchanges, thereby minimising worker presence on live lanes and enhancing safety.

Additionally, the system can be programmed with various timings and delays to accommodate site-specific configurations and can incorporate automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Premier TM, a client of SRL, reported a significant reduction in incursions, from 19 to 0, and the complete elimination of red-light jumping incidents, from 25 to 0, with the implementation of Haul Route PLUS.

At SRL’s A30 site, the system is estimated to save 50 kg of carbon emissions per week (2,600 kg per year) by reducing travel from depot to site. Furthermore, the system is projected to save £73.50 per week (£3,822 per year) in battery charging costs, based on an electricity cost of £1.50 per battery.

Stagecoach launched the UK’s first full-size autonomous bus service, AB1, in May 2023. Operating on a 14-mile route, these autonomous buses navigate mixed traffic at up to 50 mph speeds. The fleet consists of four full-size single-deck vehicles, each accommodating 36 passengers.

The development of AB1 incorporated feedback from over 500 members of the public, reflecting a passenger-centric approach. Despite the autonomous capabilities, public preference led to the inclusion of a ‘Captain’ role, where a safety driver monitors the system and ensures compliance with testing regulations. Additionally, a second staff member onboard engages with passengers, reassures first-time users, and manages ticketing, illustrating Stagecoach’s vision of staff roles in the future.

The AB1 service runs seven days a week, departing every 30 minutes from Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife. It crosses the Forth Road Bridge, stops at Upper South Queensferry, and continues to Edinburgh Park Transport Interchange, providing a vital connection between Fife and West Edinburgh. Since its inception, AB1 has completed over 9,000 services with a 99.8% reliability rate, covering nearly 80,000 km autonomously.

Stagecoach continues collaborating with government bodies such as the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles, contributing to developing best practices in autonomous transport. The AB1 project has attracted interest from industry, academia, and civil services stakeholders, with visitors from South Korea, Australia, Europe, and the UK coming to Scotland to learn about and trial this groundbreaking technology.

The Network Planning Tool for Scotland (NPT) is a data-driven strategic cycle network planning tool developed by Sustrans Scotland and the University of Leeds, funded by Transport Scotland.

The NPT estimates the relative demand for cycle journeys on all streets and paths in Scotland, presented on a map-based interface. The analysis focuses on everyday journeys, such as those to work, school, and shopping, that are of a cyclable distance. This enables local authorities to identify the most impactful locations for new cycling infrastructure and develop coherent cycle network plans based on evidence to maximise usage and encourage a modal shift to cycling.

The tool supports the transparent prioritisation of public funding for new cycle infrastructure by local authorities and Transport Scotland. It is free to use and accessible via the web. In its first year of development, the NPT has significantly enhanced the quality of cycle network planning evidence available to Transport Scotland, Sustrans, local authorities, consultants, stakeholders, campaigners, and the public.

The NPT has supported the development of robust, evidence-based Active Travel Strategies and cycle network plans for several key local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) across Scotland. Notable projects include Edinburgh’s Active Travel Action Plan, the North East Regional Active Travel Network (Nestrans), the Tayside Regional Active Travel Network (Tactran), and West Lothian’s 2022-27 Active Travel Plan. The tool is now routinely used within Sustrans Scotland to evaluate the likely impact of new schemes seeking design and construction funding from the Places for Everyone infrastructure fund.