SITE VISIT // OAKLEY TEST SITE
PROVING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
Peter Haddock visits a fully connected site in Buckinghamshire, which is going to be the first UK proving ground for autonomous vehicles he challenges of introducing fully autonomous electric vehicles on to our roads are not under-estimated, as the latest development is the construction of the UK’s first dedicated proving ground for such vehicles. It is based on a former World War Two airfield at Oakley, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, where the main phase of the track is due to be opened in spring next year. The groundworks, on behalf of the Spanish-based client IDIADA Automotive Technology, are being undertaken by local earthworks contractor LF Pearce & Son. Founded in 1937, the business is now run by grandson Derek and is based just a mile from the site. Following the successful completion of some enabling works, including establishing access roads and forming a 2.2km bridleway, Pearce obtained the contract for the three-year project.
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FULLY CONNECTED For many, the concept of autonomous road vehicles is something from sci-fi movies. A decade ago, the same would have been said about how this complex project is being managed, particularly as the client’s detailed requirements evolve over time. Derek said, “The project itself is being delivered by our fleet of Trimble 3D-enabled equipment, including JCB excavators and Caterpillar dozers. We are using a complete 3D site model to create the road layouts that a vehicle will have to navigate, reflecting what drivers would experience in the UK. “This means we are preparing the site to create everything from alternating cambers, roundabouts, flyovers, straights and a spaghetti junction-
“THE CHALLENGE ON-SITE IS THE EVER-CHANGING DESIGN OF THE PROJECT, AS THE TEAM PICKS UP ON NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING” style road layout. These different road set-ups will be used to test the performance of a range of different autonomous EVs from cars to trucks. The challenge on-site is the ever-changing design of the project, as the team picks up on new requirements for testing, which are being asked for by the authorities and car manufacturers alike. This is why it is being constructed in
Below and inset: As much material as possible will be re-used on site, building up the levels of a former wartime airfield to a vehicle test track.
NOVEMBER 2021
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16/09/2021 15:39
