GCRE and Urban.MASS identify trial sites to demonstrate next-generation transit system

2024/08/13

The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) and Urban.MASS have announced significant progress in their collaboration following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2024.

Urban.MASS, a rapidly-growing UK based mobility tech business specialising in designing and creating innovative zero-emission mass transit solutions, signed a partnership with the Global Centre of Rail Excellence to develop, deploy and demonstrate its floc® and Duo Rail™ systems at the GCRE world class research and testing facility near Neath in South Wales.

Over recent months, joint teams from GCRE and Urban.MASS have been working to identify suitable options for the trials. The companies have announced that two sites at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence have now been identified for the Urban.MASS trials to be deployed for testing.

The Urban.MASS Floc^® Duo Rail^™ system is a cost-effective, driverless, on-demand transit system that can support zero-emission mobility. Designed to meet the growing demands of modern cities, the product features advanced autonomous vehicle technology integrated with an elevated track system, enabling efficient, high-capacity, and zero-emission transportation.

The 700-hectare Global Centre of Rail Excellence site will eventually provide an environment for the full-scale demonstration of the Urban.MASS product. The site offers a variety of track layouts and testing environments, allowing for comprehensive trials that will evaluate the product's performance, safety, and operational efficiency under real-world conditions.

The collaboration aims to support the future of urban mobility by bringing together GCRE's unique testing capabilities and the innovative transit technology being developed by Urban Mass.

Diagram Title: The two identified site options for trials

Chief Executive of GCRE Ltd, Simon Jones said:

"We’re delighted to be taking this project forward and deepening our partnership with Urban.MASS. I’m pleased that we have now identified two trial sites for the demonstration of the system on the GCRE site, which is an important milestone in our work together.

“Achieving Net Zero by 2050 means a transformation in the way we live, work and travel and that includes major changes in mobility and the transportation of people and goods. Urban.MASS is at the forefront of that work and the development of more sustainable, cost effective and integrated transport networks.

“At GCRE we can provide world class facilities for infrastructure innovation and R&D that will allow Urban.MASS to develop and showcase their ideas and cutting-edge solutions in a high-quality testing environment.

“We’re excited to see the work on the trials progressing, which again highlight the versatility of the GCRE site. I’m very excited to see where this work goes in the coming months and to understanding jointly the impact the innovations will have on the future of urban transport.”

When deployed, the Floc^® Duo Rail^® system has the potential to be integrated into existing urban environments, providing a seamless and flexible transit option that can reduce congestion and enhances connectivity. 

Chief Executive of Urban.MASS Kevin O’Grady said:

“We are thrilled at the progress our collaboration with  GCRE is making towards deploying and demonstrating the urban.MASS floc® and Duo Rail™ systems at their mobility innovation centre in South Wales.” Together, we are paving the way for a more efficient and connected mobility future.”

“It was a pleasure to be hosted by the GCRE team on a site visit earlier this year and consider options for integrating floc® and Duo Rail™  into the GCRE site and we’re delighted to have reached the significant milestone of identifying two trial sites and we look forward to working with GCRE to further develop these and deliver a working demonstration system” 

“Collaborating with GCRE to deliver a successful demonstrator is crucial for validating the significant contribution floc® and Duo Rail™ can make in achieving truly integrated and zero emission urban mass transit networks.”

“Our partnership is also important in supporting urban.MASS’s work with prospective launch customers in the Middle East, Africa and around the world.”  “Our combined efforts will transform the way people move and deliver more sustainable and accessible transportation for everyone.”

Note / Photo: Jones (CEO, GCRE), Kevin O’Grady (CEO, urban.MASS), Andrew Pickford (CTO & Head of Autonomous Systems, urban.MASS), Alex Small (Digital Platforms & Innovation Lead, TATA Steel), Prof. Andy Doherty (CTO, GCRE) during a visit to the GCRE site earlier this year.

GCRE has been supported with funding from Welsh and UK Governments and will be a purpose-built facility for world class research, testing and certification of rolling stock, infrastructure and cutting-edge new rail technologies.

Notes to Editors:

• About GCRE: GCRE was established in 2021 with an initial commitment of £50 million from the Welsh Government. The UK Government is supporting the project with funding for research and development along with capital funding of £20 million. GCRE is currently involved in a process to secure private investment for the facility. Spanning the former Nant Helen opencast site and Onllwyn Washery in South Wales, GCRE will be the UK’s first net zero railway.

• About Urban.MASS: A UK-based mobility business focused on the design and delivery of innovative, zero-emission mass transit solutions. Urban.MASS was founded to create affordable, accessible and connected mass transit for all, and to reduce congestion and pollution from passenger and cargo transport. Products include the Floc® Duo Rail® system, a flexible transit system that can match capacity with demand via high frequency ‘platoons’ of passenger and/or cargo logistics pods. Its narrow and flexible footprint minimises the need for earthworks, costly tunnels and large stations. co.uk/about-us.php

Media enquiries

Please contact Andrew Johnson on 07949 449727 or email Andrew.johnson@gcre.wales

For Urban.MASS, please contact Stuart Bloomfield on +420 602 662 131 or email stuart.bloomfield@urbanmass.co.uk