Sunderland Smart City Bus Trial

Sunderland’s Streets Test the Future: Autonomous Bus Trial Navigates Public Roads and Perceptions

Sunderland recently witnessed a glimpse into the future of urban transport. A month-long, multi-million pound trial explored the potential of autonomous buses within the city centre. This pioneering project saw a specially adapted, self-driving minibus navigate public roads, ferrying passengers and gathering vital data. The initiative represents a significant step in understanding how automated technology could reshape public transit, enhance safety, and contribute to greener urban environments. Backed by substantial government and industry funding, the trial placed Sunderland at the forefront of connected and automated mobility (CAM) research in the UK. The project aimed not only to test the technology but also to gauge public reaction and build confidence in this revolutionary mode of transport.

A Collaborative Venture

The Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS) project brought together a consortium of partners. Sunderland City Council led the initiative, working closely with Oxa, an Oxford-based autonomous vehicle software specialist. Other key partners included Stagecoach, providing operational expertise; Boldyn Networks, responsible for the vital 5G communication infrastructure; Newcastle and Swansea Universities, contributing research capabilities; Angoka, focusing on cybersecurity; and Perform Green, aiding smart city integration. This collaborative approach pooled diverse expertise. It was essential for tackling the complex challenge of deploying autonomous technology safely and effectively in a real-world urban setting. The consortium secured significant financial backing, highlighting the national importance placed on developing UK capability in this burgeoning field.

Funding Future Mobility

The SAMS project operated with a budget nearing £5 million. This funding included a substantial £3 million grant awarded by the UK government via the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Innovate UK. Industry partners matched this public investment, demonstrating strong private sector confidence in the project's potential. This financial structure underscores a national strategy to foster innovation in autonomous vehicles. It aims to position the UK as a global leader in CAM technology development and deployment. The investment supported research, vehicle adaptation, infrastructure setup, safety protocols, and public engagement activities throughout the trial period.

Image Credit - BBC

The Technology Behind the Wheel

Oxa equipped a Ford E-Transit electric minibus with its sophisticated autonomous driving system. This involved integrating an array of sensors, including lidar and cameras, providing a 360-degree view of the vehicle's surroundings. Oxa’s proprietary software processed this sensory data, enabling the minibus to navigate the pre-defined route, identify obstacles, and make driving decisions. The system was designed to operate smoothly within the complexities of city traffic. Boldyn Networks established an "intelligent transport corridor" using 5G small cells along the route. This high-speed, low-latency communication network was crucial for reliable vehicle operation and potential remote monitoring capabilities, showcasing the synergy between autonomous tech and advanced connectivity.

Navigating City Streets

The trial route connected key locations within Sunderland. The autonomous minibus travelled the one-and-a-half-mile path between the Park Lane Interchange, a central transport hub, the University of Sunderland City Campus, and the Sunderland Royal Hospital. This specific route tested the vehicle's ability to handle diverse urban environments, including interactions with other traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists. The minibus operated a regular shuttle service during the trial, which ran through March 2025. Passengers interested in experiencing the service booked their journeys online in advance. This structured approach allowed the project team to manage passenger flow and collect detailed feedback.

Safety First: The Human Element

Despite the advanced autonomous capabilities, safety remained the paramount concern. Current UK regulations mandate human oversight for autonomous vehicle trials on public roads. Therefore, a trained safety driver remained present in the driver's seat at all times during the Sunderland trial. This safety operator monitored the vehicle's performance continuously. They possessed the ability to immediately take manual control if required by traffic conditions or system anomalies. While the software handled the driving, the safety driver provided an essential layer of security and reassurance. This dual approach balanced technological advancement with regulatory compliance and public safety imperatives.

Addressing Public Apprehension

Introducing driverless technology onto public streets naturally provokes questions and concerns among citizens. Initial reactions from some Sunderland residents, mirrored national surveys, reflected apprehension. Concerns primarily centred on the safety implications of vehicles operating without direct human control and the potential for accidents due to system malfunctions. Project leaders anticipated this unease. They emphasised that experiencing the technology firsthand often alleviates such fears. Reports indicated that many passengers felt more comfortable after riding the autonomous shuttle and observing its smooth, controlled operation. Building public trust was recognised as a critical factor for future adoption.

Gathering Passenger Feedback

Understanding public perception was a core objective of the SAMS trial. The project incorporated mechanisms for collecting feedback directly from passengers who experienced the autonomous shuttle service. This qualitative data provided valuable insights into user acceptance, comfort levels, and any lingering concerns. Researchers aimed to understand how exposure to the technology influenced opinions. This feedback loop is crucial for refining the technology and shaping future deployment strategies. Addressing public sentiment and demonstrating reliability are key steps towards wider acceptance of autonomous public transport solutions. Insights gained will inform future communication and engagement efforts nationwide.

Potential Beyond Public Transport

While the Sunderland trial focused on public passenger transport, Oxa highlights broader applications for its autonomous technology. Richard Jinks, Oxa’s chief operating officer, noted opportunities in environments less constrained by current public road regulations. These include managing cargo movements within airports, transporting goods around large industrial facilities, or operating within maritime ports. These controlled settings often feature repetitive routes and reduced interaction with unpredictable public traffic. Deploying autonomy in such sectors could yield immediate benefits in efficiency and safety, potentially mitigating driver shortages and removing humans from hazardous operational areas. This demonstrates a phased approach to rolling out the technology.

Sunderland's Smart City Ambitions

The SAMS trial was not an isolated experiment. It formed a vital component of Sunderland City Council's broader strategy to become a leading UK smart city. Liz St Louis, the council's Director of Smart Cities, emphasised leveraging technology to improve residents' quality of life. Sunderland has actively invested in advanced digital infrastructure, including city-wide Wi-Fi and a robust 5G network, providing the foundation for initiatives like SAMS. Other smart city projects include autonomous logistics trials at the Nissan plant, smart bin monitoring, and assistive technology deployment. SAMS showcased Sunderland's commitment to innovation and its role as a testbed for future mobility solutions.

Economic Opportunities and Job Concerns

The rise of automation inevitably sparks discussions about its impact on employment. Union representatives previously voiced concerns about the potential displacement of driving jobs as autonomous technology matures. Project leaders acknowledged these concerns while highlighting the potential for new roles. Liz St Louis suggested a continuing need for skilled individuals, possibly transitioning into areas like remote vehicle supervision or fleet management centres. Richard Jinks also stressed that building community confidence, which includes addressing employment impacts, was central to Oxa's approach. The goal is to demonstrate that technological advancement can coexist with workforce adaptation and new skill development.

Regulation: Paving the Way

The UK legal landscape for autonomous vehicles is evolving rapidly. While current rules necessitated the safety driver in the Sunderland trial, new legislation aims to create a framework for fully autonomous operation. The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, which received Royal Assent in May 2024, sets out requirements for self-driving vehicles to achieve safety standards at least equivalent to a careful human driver. It establishes processes for authorisation and introduces legal responsibility for manufacturers and operators ('authorised self-driving entities'). This landmark legislation intends to enable the deployment of driverless vehicles on UK roads, potentially starting from 2026, positioning the UK at the forefront of AV regulation globally.

Trial Outcomes and Future Steps

The month-long SAMS trial concluded at the end of March 2025. It provided invaluable real-world operational data and public feedback. While detailed final reports are awaited, the trial successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility of deploying an autonomous shuttle on complex public roads within Sunderland. It highlighted the importance of robust safety protocols and the ongoing need for public engagement to build trust. The learnings from SAMS will inform the next stages of autonomous vehicle development in Sunderland and contribute to the national understanding of CAM deployment challenges and opportunities. Future steps may involve refining the technology, expanding trial routes, or exploring commercial service models as regulations permit.

Image Credit - BBC

Oxa's Expanding Horizons

For Oxa, the Sunderland project represented another significant UK deployment, showcasing its software's adaptability. Founded in 2014, the company develops platform-based solutions, including Oxa Driver (the core autonomy system), Oxa Hub (fleet management tools), and Oxa MetaDriver (AI-powered simulation for development). Oxa aims to provide "Universal Autonomy," enabling various vehicles across diverse sectors like passenger transport, logistics, and industrial automation. Having already deployed its technology internationally, including passenger shuttles in the US, the Sunderland trial further solidified its experience in urban environments. Oxa CEO Gavin Jackson emphasised the company's commitment to modernising public transport through innovative autonomous solutions.

The Wider UK Autonomous Landscape

Sunderland's SAMS project is one of several initiatives exploring autonomous mobility across the UK, often supported by CCAV funding. Notably, the CAVForth project in Scotland launched the UK's first full-sized autonomous bus service across the Forth Road Bridge in May 2023, operated by Stagecoach using technology from Fusion Processing. Other projects include autonomous HGV trials (Project V-CAL also in Sunderland, Hub2Hub with Asda), trials in Belfast (Project Harlander), remote driving hubs (Multi-Area CAM in Solihull/Coventry), and feasibility studies for on-demand services or specific routes in locations like Hertfordshire, Bolton, and the Scottish Highlands. These collective efforts build a rich ecosystem of research and development, accelerating the UK's journey towards autonomous transport integration.

Conclusion: A Journey, Not a Destination

The Sunderland autonomous bus trial marked a significant waypoint on the UK's road towards automated mobility. It successfully navigated not just city streets, but also the complex intersection of technology, regulation, public perception, and infrastructure readiness. The collaboration between the council, technology providers, transport operators, and research institutions demonstrated the multi-faceted approach required. While challenges remain, particularly in building widespread public trust and ensuring a just transition for the workforce, the potential benefits – enhanced safety, increased accessibility, improved efficiency, and reduced environmental impact – are compelling. Projects like SAMS provide crucial real-world experience, paving the way for a future where autonomous vehicles become an integral part of the urban transport landscape. The journey continues, driven by innovation and a commitment to shaping a smarter, safer, and more sustainable mobility future.