A project to introduce autonomous trams across the region is set to begin with a pilot at Teesside Airport in 2025.
An Autonomous Public Transport project was agreed by Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet as part of a £1billion transport plan in January 2024.
A proposal to allocate £2million to create a pilot hub at Teesside International Airport will be considered by Cabinet members this month.
The hub would handle the purchase, operation, and storage of autonomous trams, which will transport people and freight around the airport.
A report to the TVCA Transport Committee states: “Subject to Cabinet agreement and subsequent business case approval, it is proposed that the project will be tested in autumn 2025, with full roll-out of the pilot project planned from December 2025 onwards.”
The Government is looking to change legislation to ensure the safety and security of autonomous vehicles on the public highway by 2027.
Ahead of this expected change, the authority will test the technology and learn from the pilot using an off-highway project.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “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.”
When fully up and running, it’s envisaged autonomous vehicles will provide a circular hop on, hop off service around across the region’s town centres.
An update on the Autonomous Public Transport project will go before the Combined Authority Transport Committee on Tuesday, 11 March.
The proposals will then be brought to TVCA Cabinet for a decision on 28 March.
Image credit: Tees Valley Combined Authority
