Demand responsive transport firms set sights on London

DRT

Multiple proposals for demand responsive transport (DRT) services in the capital are being developed, as firms take advantage of new technology.

“Market conditions have evolved to take account of changing technology, with multiple market players investigating the viability of a DRT service in London,” said Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s director of transport innovation.

“This is unsurprising as London represents a huge opportunity for DRT operators, with its large and growing population. Some early movers are already recruiting staff in preparation for launches in the capital, but TfL expect there to be a growing number of potential new entrants to London’s DRT market in the coming months.” ?

Hurwitz said that, with smartphones and developments such as advanced optimisation algorithms, it was possible for DRT services to operate “a fully dynamic service, with trips booked on the go and routes calculated and provided to drivers in near real-time, subject to the necessary licences being obtained”. ?

“These services are increasingly likely to utilise electric vehicles and could also employ driverless technology as these abilities develop.”

Hurwitz said DRT should be implemented in ways that supported the mayor’s transport policies. “If DRT emerged in London, TfL would want it to improve air quality and help tackle congestion, improve accessibility and connectivity and overall enhance the public transport offer.

“Any iteration of DRT needs to avoid any risks of increasing car dependency, reducing cycling, walking and public transport. 

Although not naming prospective DRToperators, he said there was “increasingly interest from the car club sector”. 

Connected and autonomous vehicles could be another driver of DRTinterest. TfL is participating in the STREETWISEproject, being led by the autonomous vehicle technology software provider, fiveAI. Thiswill develop and demonstrate the technology, safety, insurance and service models for an autonomous shared solution to replace private cars, including the design of a shared service in outer London. The project is due to commence next month, with operational tests in 2018. ?

Hurwitz identified three main licensing mechanisms for DRTschemes in the capital: ?

• Private hire vehicle licences – needed for any vehicle that seats up to eight passengers and which  is available for hire with a driver; 

• Public service vehicle (PSV) operator licence – to operate a vehicle for hire or reward that can carry nine or more passengers, or to operate a smaller vehicle carrying passengers and charging separate fares for the journey. The licence is issued by the Traffic Commissioner ?

• London Service Permit (LSP) – required to operate a London local service that does not form part of the London bus network. This must be obtained in addition to a PSV licence and is issued by TfL subject to criteria set down by the mayor.

Alistair Kirkbride, executive directorof Carplus, told LTT: “DRT is an obvious and welcome next step in the development of new models of mobility in London. The diversification of models and spreading out of car clubs in recent years has highlighted the sorts of areas where there is still significant opportunity for innovation in mobility.

“With the emphasis in the emerging mayor’s transport strategy of different sets of solutions for central/inner/outer London, it will be interesting to see where DRT finds its place. 

Kirkbride said that, if introduced “in a considered way”, DRT could be a “powerful additional tool to make car ownership irrelevant for even more Londoners”. “I also hope it may be the catalyst that bridges new models of mobility with community transport.”