Autonomous Trackless Trams

The aim for this project is to introduce 15 “trackless trams” to five town centres in the Tees Valley.  

A decision on a final vehicle choice for the scheme is yet to be made. 

However, the project will use smart technology to enable people to move people around more quickly. 

This will require the associated digital infrastructure to enable the “trams” to operate. 

It’s envisaged the trackless vehicles will provide a circular hop on, hop off service to around each of the town centres. 

Work on these exact routes will be developed as the project progresses.  

The vehicles will see proven, electric and autonomous vehicles which can operate safely on the highway. They can be adapted and relocated for seasonal tourism and events if necessary.  

Trialling automated vehicle technology is possible on any UK road if carried out in line with the law. 

The project will be developed in collaboration with Local Authorities and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), with which TVCA already has a good working relationship.  

An autonomous shuttle service for Teesworks and Teesside International Airport will use a similar concept to the autonomous trackless tram project.  

It will provide a shuttle service for staff and visitors on the Teesworks site.  

Smaller autonomous pods will be deployed to move people from the park and ride site and railway station to locations across the Teesworks site.  

Similarly, pods will move people around the airport site, connecting the rail station to the airport terminal and other locations across the airport site.