Plans for the introduction of autonomous trackless trams in the Tees Valley region of England are progressing with a pilot set to take place at Teesside Airport later this year. Tees Valley Combined Authority had previously agreed an autonomous public transport project as part of their £1 billion transport plan in January 2024 and this is hoped to be the first step in achieving this ambition.
The overall project is planned to introduce 15 “trackless trams” to five town centres in the Tees Valley using smart technology to move people around more quickly. Just where the exact routes would be – or even what the vehicles would be – has not yet been decided upon but its envisaged they would provide a circular hop-on, hop-off service in each of the town centres which would see their introduction.
But before we get anywhere near the full project a pilot is set to be introduced at Teesside International Airport later in 2025, subject to approval by the Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet.
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, commented: “Our airport has been at the forefront of using the very latest technology available – from hydrogen tugs and new hydrogen fuel station to new scanners, and our new 5G testbed to boost trade.
“So, it makes complete sense to use our airport as a pilot zone, learn from it and ensure we are perfectly primed to roll this out across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool
“We still need clarity from the Government on future funding to get this project fully running across our region – but we’re not standing still, and we’re determined to see this cutting-edge technology moving around our airport before the year is out.”
The pilot would transport both freight and people around the Airport. £2 million of funding would be needed to create this pilot hub which would include the purchase of vehicles and their operation.
The question is when does a trackless tram become a bus?
The original trackless trams became more popularly known as trolleybuses.
The 21st century trackless trams are simply electric buses
So the answer to the question at the end of the article is: now!
Tried to do that in Liverpool, 4 ‘coach’ road trams that would cover the city (autonomous mind), but……….
Due to the weight, the tyres would scrub badly, leaving a very fine rubber powder, that as we all know (and shall come to pass with EV’s) is carcenogenic, but lets not worry, it’s green ‘innit’?
As for the Hydrogen? well that’s still a bit ‘untested’, and i wouldnt ride a hydrogen 4 car bus, as eventually one will run into a van or bus (recently to a real tram in manchester).
“Trackless trams”. Well, in view of the dearth of trolleybus systems on the UK (thr original ‘trackless trams’), of course I just had to pop off to find a photo of this technological wonder. Having now done so, it appears that one man’s ‘trackless tram’ is another man’s ‘oversold electric bendy bus which will use far more energy than a trolleybus, never mind an actual tram, because – physics, whilst simultaneously being universally loathed by mechanics and tyre fitters alike’.
So…a bus