Consortium explores mobility challenges beyond the major cities

Stakeholders in the transport ecosystem are being invited to join a new consortium set up to address transport and mobility challenges beyond major cities.

Established as a not-for-profit organisation, the Project Beyond Consortium intends to focus on collaborative research and innovation projects to “make a difference”.

Founding members

The founding members of the consortium are: Alexander Dennis; Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP); Hampshire County Council; Stagecoach Group; the Go-Ahead Group; Underwriters Laboratories (UL); University of Surrey, 5G Innovation Centre.

Recent advances in technology and new business models are contributing to significant transport improvements.

These include better utilisation of infrastructure, efficient, convenient mobility and carbon-emission reductions. But according to the consortium, the emphasis of current research and innovation on the transport needs of major urban conurbations when the majority of people and goods movement actually occurs outside these areas is an oversight.

“The geographic areas addressed by Project Beyond face complex technical and commercial challenges for infrastructure and operations. We believe multi-sector collaborations focusing on the movement of people and goods will have a positive impact on productivity,” said Mark Selby, consortium director.

“We believe multi-sector collaborations focusing on the movement of people and goods will have a positive impact on productivity”

The Project Beyond Consortium is focusing on specific transport and mobility challenges. They include:

• The sustainability of public transport service delivery in less-densely populated areas when public sector budgets are declining and transport costs are increasing
• Addressing the costs of last mile deliveries as online retail continues to grow
• The lack of connectivity to support connected vehicles and the economic viability of building a suitable communications infrastructure
• Reducing congestion and emissions in areas where people have a high dependency on car use
• Exploring the suitability of current multi-modal transport innovations from city transit systems to areas with multiple service providers and regulators.

“Delivering effective transport for rural and less densely populated areas presents some very real challenges and it’s only by working together that we can solve some of the complex issues facing these areas,” added Edward Hodgson, managing director at Stagecoach South.

“We are excited to be working as part of the Project Beyond Consortium which brings together key stakeholders which we hope will help unlock the potential solutions.”

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