FLOURISH

FLOURISH is a multi-sector collaboration, helping to advance the successful implementation of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) in the UK, by developing services and capabilities that link user needs and system requirements, maximising the benefits of CAVs for users and transport authorities. The three-year project is worth £5.5 million and is co-funded between industry and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). It is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. It is part of the government’s £100 million Intelligent Mobility Fund, supporting the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge.

FLOURISH has adopted a user-focused approach to best understand consumer expectations of CAV technology. The project explores how this technology can be harnessed to enhance and enable mobility for older adults and those with mobility-related needs, contributing to the development of a stronger and more inclusive society. Participants have been involved through workshops, and simulator and pod trials.

The project considers the technology required to deliver these user benefits. The FLOURISH car trials focus on the optimum conditions for the effective wireless transfer of data between vehicles and with the roadside infrastructure. This development will enable the future real-time communication of journey information to users, allowing them to make ‘on the move’ choices about their travel.

FLOURISH also examines how innovative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence can be used to model a networked environment which responds immediately to any changes in traffic flow. These learnings from FLOURISH will enable the operation of CAVs at network level and the optimisation of regional traffic management systems, delivering further benefits for users.

Safety is fundamental to user trust levels of CAVs. By investigating resilient and secure communications, FLOURISH is providing a road map for the cyber secure integration of CAVs within our transport infrastructure. FLOURISH also promotes trust in CAVs by extending the position of the West of England as a centre of excellence for the safe trialling of CAVs.

A series of publications and reports have been produced as part of the FLOURISH project, which are available from the link below.