Road to driverless cars moves closer with trials set for motorways

Driverless car technology will be trialed for the first time on British motorways under a 213-million-U.S.-dollar plan, the government roads agency Highways England, said Tuesday.

The agency on Tuesday published its innovation strategy which sets out for the first time its wide-ranging plan to ensure it is keeping pace with advances in technology.

The technology will bring benefits to road users throughout the country as well as unlock economic growth, Highways England said in a statement.

A spokesman for the agency in London said: "A connected corridor or 'wi-fi road' could see cars and infrastructure wirelessly connected, with drivers receiving news of advanced road closures or congestion warnings."

The strategy also includes testing radar technology on motorways and in tunnels to improve the way breakdowns are detected.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: "Innovation is absolutely critical to our 15-billion-pound (21.3 billion U.S. dollar) investment plan for roads. A more reliable road network is good news for motorists and good news for the economy."

"Quicker, safer roads will improve access to jobs and opportunities. Placing Britain at the forefront of innovation and research in this area will also create more jobs and investment," said Jones.

Highways England chief executive Jim O'Sullivan said: "We're committed to using innovation to benefit the millions of journeys made on England's strategic road network today and in the future. This will involve supporting trials of better connected and autonomous vehicles on our motorways by the end of next year."

Highways England is to trial radar technology on motorways and acoustic technology in the Hindhead Tunnel in Surrey. Another trial will also see information sent wirelessly to specially-adapted vehicles on the busy A2/M2 road between London and Kent. Endit