Electric Van Network
Future Public Transport Now
Arrival are a new UK based electric van & bus maker. This is their prototype van for UPS.
Once upon a time I would have strangled myself for suggesting using ‘normal vans’ as a Public Transport method. But I think it could be great as a connected neighbourhood system, without much spend on infrastructure. It means ‘off the shelf’ electric vans can be used, perhaps with some additions to allow them to talk to the network. More advanced systems could be automated, but this automation would only need to be something akin to a kind of networked cruise control, rather than a complex AI system. Both the movement of cargo and people could happen, without pollution, at a very human scale. Cargo drivers could get on and off the network using ‘normal’ vans — at each end go about their business on ‘normal’ roads.
In order to visualise this concept let’s pretend we have been asked to create a link between Thamesmead and somewhere North of the Thames, as well as transport in and around Thamesmead.
An off the shelf electric van — for cargo
Thamesmead Needs to be Networked
This area of London never got the transport infrastructure it was promised and with the new building going on this will need to be quickly dealt with to avoid an explosion of private car ownership and gridlock. There’s been many proposals and they all need large amounts of funding, therefore large amounts of planning and consultation.
The first stage would be a quick win — to have off the self electric vans with drivers drive on routes in and around Thamesmead, connecting it up with nearby public transport services, large centres and places of work, such as Abbey Wood station, Erith & Dartford industrial areas, Bexleyheath shopping centre and Woolwich station.
During this first stage roll out work should be started to add dedicated routes to allow much quicker connections.
The next stage would be a river crossing, a unique crossing with shops & cafes, a van stop in the middle, greenery and dedicated walking and cycling paths. The vans would be the only motorised vehicles allowed, other than electric bikes. This would be not only a connection between two communities, but a small community in itself, with the bonus of leases offsetting at least some of the cost.
During the bridge build, the van network should start to become automated, with the ability for private electric van owners to get an automation pack installed in their vans.
Possible routes for a van network in and around Thamesmead
Replicating the Network
This can be done in other places in sore need for more finely networked public transport, such as the nearby Greenwich peninsula — which already has a new river crossing in the works which could be similar to the bridge above, but it is a tunnel.
It must be noted this is not meant to replace train services, but be a much more fine grained approach. It could replace the more hyper-local bus services, if they exist in the areas, but buses with long routes fulfil another (rather large) niche.
