Welcome to the future
The Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle initiative will test a self-driving, emissions-free Auto-Shuttle. This shuttle will ferry passengers between Sunderland Interchange, Sunderland Royal Hospital, and the University of Sunderland City Campus on public roads. Although safety drivers will accompany each ride, the project aims to establish and showcase a secure remote supervision protocol, paving the way for future commercial use.
Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle
The SAMS project, led by Sunderland City Council and a consortium of six other public and private partners, and backed by the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Innovate UK; is an initiative which will deliver a huge stride forward for autonomous vehicles.
The project’s vision is to reimagine Sunderland’s transport infrastructure, defining autonomous operations in a real-world city environment and building a replicable model that can benefit other cities the world over.
The project will help to outline a more sustainable future for urban mobility through the delivery of several autonomous zero-emission shuttles, along a 5km busy city centre route, integrating with and supplementing existing public transport provision and testing remote supervision.
The aim of this initiative is to research, pilot and evaluate the North East’s first autonomous passenger vehicle in Sunderland city centre. It will feature a 5G-connected, autonomous shuttle bus, transporting passengers across the city increasing connectivity between a key transport interchange and two high-volume destinations: the University of Sunderland City Campus and Sunderland Royal Hospital, via an Intelligent Transport Corridor (ITC).
Building on the North East’s leading role in the UK’s Automated Vehicle (AV) ecosystem, this project will demonstrate the future of urban mobility, via the research, build, trial and evaluation of an autonomous zero-emission shuttle operating along a 5km route (integrating with/supplementing existing public transport provision).
Other projects, testbeds and trials are taking place in the UK concurrently, backed by CCAV, and more information can be found here.
SAMS Project Partners
Angoka
Founded in 2019, ANGOKA is an IoT security company protecting critical machine-to-machine communications for Smart Cities & Smart Mobility. As part of the SAMS consortium, ANGOKA will facilitate a safe operating environment by securing the Intelligent Transport Systems from Cyber-attack. This includes the Traffic Management and EV-Charging infrastructure.
Boldyn Networks
Boldyn Networks (Boldyn) are proud to play a key role in the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS). Boldyn is a world leader in shared communications infrastructure, pioneering solutions that empower customers to advance their services. In partnership with Sunderland City Council, Boldyn Networks will design, build, and operate next-generation wireless networks, to create the UK’s most advanced smart city.
Newcastle University
The Future Mobility Group (FMG) will research the operational and safety benefits of the autonomous system on public roads, including remote supervision in circumstances where autonomous operation is not appropriate. The research will contribute to the business case for future AV deployment including future design and onboard service provision, safety of public road running of AVs, user trust and acceptance and guidance, standards and regulatory aspects.
Stagecoach
Stagecoach aim to be at the forefront of transport innovation, and exploring autonomous driving technology is a key part of their strategy. Stagecoach’s experience of delivering bus services in Sunderland over many years, coupled with the knowledge built up through developing the UK’s first full-sized autonomous bus to run over the Forth Bridge in Scotland, means they are well-placed to help take forward this project.
Sunderland City Council
Sunderland’s leading smart city infrastructure and the power of 5G technology is enabling the research, build, trial and evaluation of several autonomous zero-emission shuttles. The project’s seven consortium partners will demonstrate how a next generation, low-carbon autonomous public transport vehicle can integrate into the city’s public transport network, increasing connectivity between a key transport interchange (the University of Sunderland City Campus and Sunderland Royal Hospital) via an intelligent Transport Corridor (ITC).
Swansea University
The Systems Security Group (SSG) at Swansea University will undertake a system-level cybersecurity risk assessment for the project, ensuring the deployment is operationally resilient and complies with the relevant standards. SSG brings with it over 25 years of experience in cyber-physical systems security research and evaluation, with through-life assurance in terms of risk modelling, model-based security testing, risk perception and safety-security analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
As we design and develop the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS), all development practices and safety standards will be followed carefully.
To illustrate what is involved in ensuring the safety of passengers, pedestrians and other road users, this set of Frequently Asked Questions provides an overview of the approach taken by Sunderland City Council and partners.
What does SAMS stand for?
SAMS is short for the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS). The SAMS shuttle is the North East’s first autonomous passenger vehicle, which means a passenger vehicle which drives itself with the help of advanced tech such as sensors and cameras.
What is the SAMS trial?
SAMS is the trial of an autonomous shuttle bus (this means that it drives itself), transporting passengers across the city using Sunderland’s 5G smart city network.
The trial will showcase how an autonomous shuttle can transport passengers between three busy destinations: the city centre, the University of Sunderland City Campus and Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Where will the SAMS shuttle travel to?
The SAMS shuttle will run on public roads on a 15-minute cycle, transporting people from Park Lane to the hospital, university and back.
The route the SAMS shuttle will take is called an ‘Intelligent Transport Corridor (ITC)’, which means it’s a route which uses smart technology to improve traffic, road safety and more.
The shuttle will run using 5G small cells (5G small cells are smaller areas of coverage within a 5G network), which are being installed along the vehicle’s route.
What is the SAMS trial trying to demonstrate?
On a local level, the SAMS trial will help to show how a modern transport option can complement the city’s existing public transport, such as buses, and better connect people to key destinations in the city centre.
The research, testing and evaluation of the SAMS shuttle will help to inform how autonomous vehicles can work in real environments all over the world.
Which organisations are involved in the trial?
The SAMS project is led by Sunderland City Council and a consortium of public and private partners, and is backed by the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Innovate UK.
There are seven consortia partners involved in the SAMS project: Sunderland City Council (Project Lead), Angoka, Boldyn Networks, Newcastle University, Stagecoach and Swansea University.
Why is this trial happening in Sunderland?
Building on Sunderland and the North East’s leading role in developing automated vehicles, and Sunderland’s growing reputation as one of the UK’s smartest cities, this is the perfect location for the trial to take place.
This is a really significant project for Sunderland as it is set to become a Centre of Excellence for autonomous vehicles in the UK – this gives the city credibility, encourages inward investment into the city and our smart city technologies. Trials such as SAMS also create jobs and upskilling opportunities for our residents.
Will the SAMS shuttle replace existing buses?
The SAMS shuttle will not replace existing bus services – they will run alongside and complement existing public transport provision in Sunderland.
What is safety assurance and why is it important?
As autonomous vehicles continue to evolve, there is an increasing demand to test and trial them on UK roads. As we progress with the trials and build evidence to prove the safety and reliability of these shuttles, we aim to increase public confidence in autonomous vehicles.
The SAMS trial is an important step towards the UK adopting autonomous transport to support mobility in our cities, towns and villages.
Will there be a safety driver on board?
During the trials there will be both a safety driver and a co-pilot on board, and there will be careful regulation and control around this period of testing. Safety is paramount during this trial.
The SAMS shuttle uses all the sensors on board the vehicle to identify any risks or hazards at all times – these hazards could include people crossing the road between parked cars, or a vehicle running the wrong way down a one-way street etc. As well as the sensors, the on-board safety supervisor will be full trained and looking out for such hazards and what to do to avoid any problems or accidents.
How will staff be trained?
Safety operators complete a rigorous training programme, which is certified upon completion. Re-certification is required every 12 months, or sooner if minimum driving hours are not met.
Driver training will take place in the carpark at the Stadium of Light, upskilling drivers to understand the controls, forward planning and understanding their role in the vehicle while it is driving.
Then the testing will move onto the roads and will welcome passengers aboard.
How will the SAMS shuttle support Sunderland residents?
Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) will provide huge benefits to people, businesses and the environment.
Connecting people with transport options, autonomous vehicles like the SAMS shuttle have the potential to help residents to feel connected, included and to enhance their quality of life.
The SAMS shuttle offers a safe, environmentally friendly alternative method of transport to reduce congestion and improve road safety.
The SAMS project could revolutionise public transport and, especially for those who don’t drive, better connect rural communities and reduce road collisions caused by human error.
How have the people of Sunderland been consulted about the SAMS trial?
Newcastle University is leading on a huge amount of research to better understand passengers’ needs for greater experiences.
The University has consulted with a wide variety of road users, pedestrians and cyclists to ensure all of their needs are taken into consideration.
When will we see the SAMS shuttle on the roads and be able to use it?
Driver training and familiarisation with the vehicle will take place first at the Stadium of Light. Following this training period, there will be some soft trials during which the vehicle will be thoroughly tested to ensure everything is running safely and smoothly.
The SAMS shuttle will be available to use on public roads later in 2025. Further information will follow about how to use the SAMS vehicle, the timetabled service and more.
How much will it cost for residents to use the SAMS shuttle?
The SAMS shuttle will be free for use by the public during the project’s trial phase.
How is the SAMS shuttle environmentally friendly?
The SAMS shuttle is a zero-emission vehicle, which means that it emits no waste products that pollute the environment or disrupt the climate.
The SAMS project will kick-start Sunderland’s transition to low-carbon public transport whilst helping to support net zero targets across the city, and beyond.
The SAMS project will also tackle broader environmental goals by improving air quality and easing congestion across Sunderland’s city centre.