Policy paper

DfT cycling and walking innovation competition winners

Published 9 March 2018

This policy paper was withdrawn on

No longer current government policy/activity

Innovation in Cycling and Walking Competition: winners for phase 1 (proof of concept) and new phase 2 (demonstrator projects)

Airhead

Aim of the project

This project aims to increase cycling by designing a significantly more portable cycle helmet. The objective will be to develop a prototype that both delivers better head/neck protection than existing designs and that also reduces significantly in size when not in use. Phase 1 will focus on refining and testing the design to meet these design criteria.

Phase 1 deliverables

Phase 1 deliverables include:

  • through a contract with The Welding Institute (TWI), testing flat sheet materials and welding processes to find the most effective for safety, production and cost
  • development of 3D printed helmet prototypes and helmet strap
  • carrying out safety consultation
  • a proof of concept report

Following the achievement of aims for advancement during phase 1 of the project, phase 2 will focus on manufacture development and safety testing on the inflatable helmet with the aim of producing a collapsible cycle helmet which is EN1078 safety certified and ready for market.

New phase 2 deliverables

New phase 2 deliverables include:

  • through an agreement with specialists in cycle crash impact testing and safety at TRL, gaining feedback through a range of impact tests in preparation to submit and pass European safety certification tests
  • developing the welding and bonding process, for simple production and efficient manufacturing of the airHEAD helmet
  • developing customised materials specific to the performance requirements needed and continue to refine material performance for manufacture production of the airHEAD helmet
  • refinement of the helmet strap and interior padding
  • further develop commercialisation plans for launch of product

Central Bedfordshire Council

Aim of the project

This project aims to improve the safety of cyclists on rural roads by using a combination of technologies to influence driver behaviour and dynamically alert vehicles to their presence.

Phase 1 of the project will comprise two areas of work. The first will categorise and summarise existing interventions designed to improve the safety of cyclists on rural roads and the second will develop an outline prototype design.

Phase 1 deliverables

Phase 1 deliverables include:

  • a list of existing interventions currently used in the UK and overseas to improve cycle safety on rural roads
  • technical/sensor evaluation and selection of preferred sensor for detecting pedal cycles and motor vehicles on rural roads
  • customising the sensor for integral processing, through an agreed methodology for calculating the changing distance between the cycle and the vehicle, and extrapolating it to a potential collision
  • a flow chart that supplements existing interventions, and provides guidance of types of interventions to be considered for safe cycling
  • summary of the most suitable mechanism to inform drivers and cyclists
  • a phase 1 report

Following successful completion of phase 1, a technological system solution has been developed to detect and activate a cyclist activated warning sign (CAWS). This solution will provide a new approach to supporting cycling on rural routes by improving safety and promoting cycle use when deployed. Phase 2 of the project will be used to take the solution through the design, implementation, operation and evaluation stage; with the aim of demonstrating the effectiveness of deploying the sign.

New phase 2 deliverables

New phase 2 deliverables include:

  • completing further research to ensure the final design of the CAWS complies with Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and / or other authorisation requirements
  • undertaking interactive user testing to select the most effective sign face design to optimise driver perception
  • producing a CAWS with identified suppliers for trial testing
  • conducting 2 trials to evaluate the CAWS; including designing a package of cycle intervention measures that include CAWS deployment, creating robust evaluation methodology, successful planning and implementation of routes, reliable collection/storage/downloading of data
  • producing a robust evaluation of project report
  • preparing and delivering a comms plan including development of a best practice design guide for cycling infrastructure in a rural context

Alp Technologies

Aim of the project

This project aims to expand the use of electric bicycles through reducing their initial and ongoing costs. The intention is to reduce the cost of the e-bike battery by using recycled batteries in a novel electrical format and casing, allowing for easy replacement of cells to prolong the overall battery pack life and maximise individual cell utilisation before disposal.

Phase 1 deliverables

Phase 1 deliverables include:

  • procurement of battery, testing equipment and relevant materials
  • battery modular casing CAD designed
  • prototype developed of battery casing and battery testing protocol and algorithm analysis
  • battery management system successfully tested
  • proof of concept report

During phase 1 of the project all costs and engineering objectives were met successfully to produce a proof of concept prototype. Phase 2 of the project will focus on testing technical feasibility, demonstrate industrial robustness and commercial viability of the product and business plan.

New phase 2 deliverables

New phase 2 deliverables include:

  • procurement and design of components for initial test bikes to then construct and quality control test e-bike conversion kits and components
  • trial run testing to undertake battery analysis and e-bike electronic and mechanical testing
  • final design and construction of e-bikes for real world testing
  • conduct live sample group studies including gathering data, troubleshooting and analysis of real world study
  • technical performance and risk report
  • produce a commercial implementation plan

Innovation in Cycling and Walking Competition: winners for phase 1 (proof of concept)

Stride

Aim of the project

This project aims to increase walking amongst older people by designing a wearable technology. Phase 1 will develop a prototype wristband that combines fitness and health tracking functionality – specially tailored to the needs and use preferences of seniors – with a state of the art personal emergency response system to alert when the person has a fall.

Phase 1 deliverables

Phase 1 deliverables include:

  • technical functionality defined
  • 3D printed prototype designed
  • software functionality requirements designed following sprint testing
  • proof of concept report

Zeta Specialist Lighting Ltd

Aim of the project

This project aims to increase cycling and walking by creating an unobtrusive, low cost, robust, solar powered variant of road studs for use on cycle and footways. The objective is to provide a sustainable light source that can be built into the walking/cycleway and towpaths to improve night time signage and safety for pedestrians and cyclist. Intelligence will be built into the path lighting so that colour can be used to provide visual aids.

Phase 1 deliverables

Phase 1 deliverables include:

  • product requirements (illumination and modes of operation) understood and tested
  • user specifications developed
  • mature solar pathway stud design developed
  • proof of concept report

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham are collaborating with Integrated Transport Planning to increase walking and cycling amongst university students and staff by creating an active travel dashboard. Phase 1 will develop a proof of concept prototype platform to provide decision-making information to operational staff making planning decisions. The prototype will also provide personalised, real-time active travel choices for travellers.

Phase 1 deliverables

Phase 1 deliverables include:

  • analysis of user and data requirements
  • unit-tested prototype data analysis and integration platform developed
  • development of a demonstrator user interface, suitable for planners and students/staff
  • user evaluation
  • proof of concept report