M4’s potential for driverless lorries identified

THE South Wales stretch of the M4 has been identified as one of the most valuable routes for driverless lorries in the UK.

Firms would maximise profits by deploying autonomous HGVs on the motorway between Swansea and Swindon because of its long distance and relatively low congestion, according to transport information firm Inrix.

It is one of five routes identified in a list topped by the M6/M74 corridor between Manchester and Glasgow.

The second most feasible corridor would be the A1 between Sheffield and Edinburgh, followed by the M5/A38 route between Plymouth and Birmingham.

The M25 London orbital motorway was selected as the road where driverless lorry technology could lead to the biggest safety improvement, due to having a significantly higher levels of dangerous incidents per mile than any other route.

Coventry-Manchester on the M6 was in second place.

The M4 between Swansea and Swindon also appeared in fourth place on the safety improvement list.

The report stated that highly automated vehicles are “poised to dramatically alter the long-haul trucking sector”.

It predicted that the cost of the technology will decline as it is developed, and stated that it could provide “valuable savings” for UK firms due to the shortage of qualified HGV drivers and uncertainty over the movement of people after Brexit.

Platoons of self-driving lorries are expected to be trialled on England’s motorways by the end of the year.

Up to three wirelessly connected HGVs will travel in convoy, with acceleration and braking controlled by the lead vehicle.

Lorries driving close together could see the front vehicle pushing air out of the way, making the other vehicles more efficient and lowering their emissions.

The Government announced in August 2017 that it would provide £8.1m of funding towards the trials, which will be carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory.

All lorries involved will have a driver ready to take control if required.