Bidding now open for Oxfordshire transport transformation cash

Oxfordshire’s road users could see a traffic management revolution take place with the start of a bidding process that will see technology companies vying for a share of £1.25m to develop transport solutions for the future.

Oxfordshire County Council will award up to £1,250,000 for a two-phase competition that invites organisations to bid to develop a traffic management system that can accommodate both traditional vehicles and new mobility technologies throughout Oxfordshire.

This money, awarded through the central Government ‘GovTech Catalyst’ programme, will help transform the existing Oxfordshire traffic management system - ready for the Government’s hoped-for introduction of connected vehicles by 2021 as well as other new mobility options, such as electric vehicles.

Connected transport first for Oxfordshire

County Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “Not many councils are like Oxfordshire – our thriving communities are at the heart of everything we do.

“The challenge is to be ready for the new wave of transport. That means different and cleaner power sources and brand-new technology such as computer assisted transport.

“Oxfordshire is also the first council to include connected and autonomous vehicles in its Local Transport Plan. These vehicles can be anything including bicycles, wheelchairs, vans, public transport and cars.

“There is a massive amount of work to do to make everything work, and that is why we are delighted to receive £1.25m from the Government towards the research that is needed to see how we could upgrade our systems to see connected vehicles work seamlessly with traffic on Oxfordshire’s roads.

“The council is in charge of the majority of Oxfordshire’s roads, and is also home to some world-class high-tech companies, so we know we can have a real impact in shaping the future of transport.”

Technology firms can apply to develop innovative solutions for Oxfordshire County Council’s challenge, ‘How might we upgrade traffic management control centres to accommodate new mobility options such as autonomous vehicles, drones and dockless bikes. More details on applying can be found at:

https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/328/overview

Companies that would like to find out more can register to join us for a briefing event on Friday 8 March: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/govtech-transport-network-management-for-new-mobility-tickets-55757832177

Find out more about the GovTech Catalyst programme on the GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-govtech-catalyst-challenge-process