DfT announces changes to electric van rules
The Department for Transport has set out new proposals on electric vans, following a consultation on regulations Transport + Energy reports that the main proposals include transferring zero-emission vans (ZEGVs) with a weight of 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes away from the heavy vehicle testing system and into the MOT network – with the tests […]
Driverless cars will be on our roads next year, says DfT
The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued an update on when the first fleet of driverless vehicles will likely arrive on UK roads. Driverless cars are already being used for public rides and testing in several cities across the United States, including Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In these cities, commuters can hail these rides through apps like Waymo, […]
DfT developing National Transport Analysis Platform
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that it is developing a National Transport Analysis Platform (NTAP) for modelling transport scenarios. DfT have awarded Arup a three-year contract worth up to £5 million for a project that is aimed at streamlining modelling processes to support policy making. According to the contract award notice: “The primary […]
Smart Motorways protests: National Highways responds
National Highways have issued a response to last week’s protest by the Smart Motorways Kill campaign, amid calls for Department for Transport to release smart motorway impact reports. A National Highways spokesperson said: “Safety is our number one priority, and we’re doing everything in our control to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our network. […]
Recycled plastic technology used on UK road for first time
A road in Motherwell has become the first in the UK to trial a new technology which uses recycled plastic to reduce the bitumen content in asphalt. As part of the Live Labs 2 programme, a three-year long, UK-wide, £30 million project, funded by the Department for Transport and launched by ADEPT, aimed at decarbonising the […]
Transport Committee accuses Government of lacking ambition to revive England’s bus services
The Transport Committee has criticised the Government’s response to its report on improving bus services, saying it shows a lack of ambition and risks missing an opportunity to improve connectivity across England. The Committee’s report, published in August, highlighted how bus services are the country’s most-used form of public transport. Despite this, Department for Transport (DfT) data shows […]
Mott MacDonald hosts Digital Roads Symposium analysing resilience, sustainability and service excellence
The engineering, management, and development consultancy Mott MacDonald is hosting an event next month that will bring national and local government together with the private sector to explore how digital tools and approaches are driving change across the UK’s roads sector. The Digital Roads Symposium will feature interactive sessions, live demonstrations, and insights into the […]
Highways Sector Council launches second phase of ‘Ways of Life’ campaign
The Highways Sector Council (HSC) today unveils the second phase of its ‘Ways of Life’ campaign – a cross-industry initiative designed to spotlight the diverse job opportunities within the highways sector and inspire the next generation to see it as a place to build careers of purpose, skill, and impact. Launched in partnership with the […]
TTF Autumn Update discusses connected services, data and standards, DfT policies and organisation’s future direction
The themes for the Transport Technology Forum’s Autumn Update on 6 November have been set, focussed on updating local authorities and suppliers with the latest on the emerging Connected Vehicle Services framework and wider government policy. The one-day event in Birmingham will hear from senior members of the Department for Transport, looking at Connected Services, […]
National Highways loses Lower Thames Crossing oversight with major project handed to DfT
Government Ministers have removed National Highways of its responsibility for the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing project. The move is seen as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s drive to take tight control over important infrastructure projects for fear of cost overruns and delays, according to The Guardian. Oversight of the Lower Thames Crossing – the UK’s largest […]