Ordnance Survey to play core CAV role

Ordnance Survey has been appointed to consult on national infrastructure ahead of the anticipated development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV).

The E-CAVE project will focus on creating “effective connected environments”, using the organisation’s digital data expertise. It will support trials across four recently-announced CAV test bed projects, overseen by the UK government’s Meridian initiative.

Discussing E-CAVE, Ordnance Survey CEO Nigel Clifford said: “This project will provide the UK government with evidence-based insights to speed up the deployment of connected environments in the UK.

“In addition to this, the learning we gain will show the UK to be an exemplar, and the infrastructure design which comes from this activity can be scaled up and used internationally.”

The government’s business secretary Greg Clark said: “Low carbon and self-driving vehicles are the future, and the UK is determined to be one of the world-leaders in this technological revolution.

“With its centuries of experience in mapping and its status as a big data powerhouse, Ordnance Survey’s new project will make a valuable contribution to us achieving our bold ambitions.”

The project builds on work already carried out by Ordnance Survey, such as the ‘Atlas’ initiative, which identified data deemed critical to the efficient operation of autonomous vehicles.