Raphael Thys
A driverless, zero-emission mass transit system – comprising autonomous electric ‘pods’ capable of travelling on both road and rail – has been unveiled by UK-start up Urban.MASS.
Urban.MASS’ technology combines on-demand ride hailing transport with high frequency, and sustainable mass transit to provide zero-emission passenger and cargo journeys across cities.
The pods run on an elevated track, powered by overhead solar canopies, which can be built above existing roads and infrastructure, giving a physical footprint 70% smaller than a typical urban light rail system.
The first fully operational site is planned to open in 2025 in the North East of England.
A company says a global rollout will follow, with at least 10 cities adopting the technology by 2030, beginning with Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and cities across the UK.
Kevin O’Grady, CEO of Urban.MASS, says: “Cities are changing like never before – populations are exploding but the way we move people around hasn’t changed in over a century. Victorian-era rail and road technologies weren’t designed for the demands of modern life and yet worldwide we continue to rely on the same basic, expensive, and carbon intensive system. We should be using solutions of the twenty-first century, to serve the new-breed of cities we see today – cities that are built for people, not polluting vehicles.”
He adds: “It’s almost 200 years since the United Kingdom invented passenger rail – it’s time to once again set a new global precedent and upend the status quo of transport. With massive demand from cities right across the world, it’s clear that people everywhere recognise the need for a new technology to dramatically change our transport systems for the next 200 years. Our affordable and accessible system delivers twice the track for half the cost, with an unrivalled customer experience.”
George Piwang-Jalobo, Urban.MASS Contact at UNCCI Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, comments: “In line with Uganda 2040 vision, Kampala will be one of the most attractive cities in the world, offering its citizens and visitors a safe and efficient transport system based on a high quality public transport system and a complementary non-motorised transport network. The strategy will be driven by mass public transport to facilitate efficiency and reduce congestion and pollution. Urban.MASS, with its green efficient product, is aligned to this vision.”
Urban.MASS’ directors are former Directors of leading international architecture, engineering, and technology companies. Its Board of Advisors include transport specialists, property developers, city planners and communication experts.