̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Ian Leslie

New electric buses roll out to carry students, staff and public on extended Universal route

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:51:57 +0000

Subsidised by the ̽��ֱ��, but open to everyone, the U bus has been operating for 20 years. ̽��ֱ�� staff and students use the service, as well as Eddington residents, sixth-form students, shoppers, tourists and key workers.

Professor Andy Neely, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Relations, said: " ̽��ֱ��U bus service supports growth and the local economy and is the only privately operated and funded fully electric bus service in the UK.

" ̽��ֱ��service has bucked the national trend by exceeding pre-COVID ridership levels this year. 2022/23 has been the busiest year ever on the Universal bus, with more than 719,000 passengers."

Professor Ian Leslie, Chair of the ̽��ֱ��’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy Committee and Transport Working Group, said: " ̽��ֱ��Universal bus supports the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability, in particular sustainable business travel, as well as its work to meet the access requirements of all students.

"From the beginning of the new academic year (2 October 2023) the bus route will enable Girton, Homerton, Selwyn, Newnham and Wolfson Colleges to have more convenient access to the service, as well as buses now going to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (Addenbrooke’s site) at the weekends as well as on weekdays."

Jonathan Ziebart, Managing Director at Ascendal UK, parent company to Whippet, said: " ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s latest investment will see a fleet of fully electric buses, offering cutting-edge technology and innovative safety features to provide a truly premium travel experience. Some of the key features include a state-of-the-art Camera Monitoring System replacing the need for wing mirrors. In parallel, we will be cascading our former Universal buses across Whippet’s local bus network, helping to improve passenger experience whilst lowering emissions."

Nicoletta Gennaro, Group Head of Marketing and Customer Experience for Ascendal, said: "After many months of intensive effort, we are proud of the passenger-centric environment we have created on our new vehicles. We have dedicated special attention to customer experience, providing our passengers with high-quality vegan leather seats, and other features such as wireless charging, stop buttons on each seat, and high-quality WiFi."

̽��ֱ��standard single journey fare is £2, however ̽��ֱ�� card holders (students and staff) can travel on the U bus for £1 per single trip. ̽��ֱ��new contract will provide a ‘split service’, with half of Universal buses serving Girton College at the northern end of the route, and half routed along Grange Road and Newnham Road to better serve Wolfson College, with some returning to Hills Road to connect with Homerton College and the Faculty of Education.

̽��ֱ��new buses all have sustainability-themed names chosen from a selection of imaginative suggestions put forward by pupils at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge Primary School in Eddington. ̽��ֱ��bus names are: Bus Lightyear, Pollution Solution, Net-Zero Hero, Greenhopper, ̽��ֱ��Sustainable Hulk, ̽��ֱ��Peregreen Falcon, Eco Eddie, Lightning McGreen and ̽��ֱ��Green Clean Machine.

A new fleet of nine electric buses will operate on an extended Universal bus route from October, after the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and Whippet buses announced a new 8-year contract for the popular Cambridge service.

̽��ֱ��U bus service supports growth and the local economy and is the only privately operated and funded fully electric bus service in the UK.

Professor Andy Neely, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Relations

Members of the ̽��ֱ�� team who have worked to bring new electric buses to the Universal service

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

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Self-driving shuttle buses will return to West Cambridge Innovation District for new trial

sb726 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 09:00:58 +0000

Up to 13 self-driving shuttle buses will be trialled for a year on Cambridge roads from early 2024, following an announcement of new joint government and industry support for self-driving transport technology.

̽��ֱ��Cambridge Connector project is being led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership with support from Cambridgeshire County Council’s digital connectivity programme Connecting Cambridgeshire.

It will test an on-demand self-driving shuttle service around Cambridge ̽��ֱ��’s West Cambridge Innovation District, and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, to integrate with existing transport services already available in the city. ̽��ֱ��vehicles will initially have a safety driver on board as backup, but will eventually operate without one, being monitored remotely instead. ̽��ֱ��government has awarded £8.7 million to the project, matched by industry to a total £17.4 million.

̽��ֱ��project is one of seven from around the UK to receive a grant as part of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Connected and Automated Mobility programme, which aims to help British companies seize early opportunities to develop experimental projects into offerings ready for the market.

̽��ֱ��Cambridge Connector project follows the previous but separate Greater Cambridge Partnership trial of autonomous vehicle technology on the West Cambridge Innovation District in 2021.

Professor Ian Leslie, Senior Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor with special responsibility for Environmental Sustainability, said: “Innovation that benefits society is at the heart of the ̽��ֱ��’s mission, and we are delighted to support the next phase of fully autonomous vehicle trials at the West Cambridge Innovation District. We believe shuttles could provide a real benefit for staff, students and visitors, and make journey times quicker between our sites and around our sites.

“By making sustainable travel easier, we hope more people will move away from using private vehicles in Cambridge, contributing towards Cambridge’s vision for the future.”

Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board, said: “Cambridge is renowned as a place of innovation, where the technology of the future is discovered and realised to benefit the world. This is why it is incredibly exciting to be part of today’s announcement to help develop a new public transport system.

“In the last two years we have trialled autonomous vehicles and now these innovative self-driving vehicles are the next step to demonstrate how on-demand services will be part of the future for Greater Cambridge.”

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: “In just a few years’ time, the business of self-driving vehicles could add tens of billions to our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs across the UK. This is a massive opportunity to drive forward our priority to grow the economy, which we are determined to seize.”

Image shows inside of one of the autonomous vehicles trialled on the West Cambridge Innovation District in 2021

Autonomous vehicles will carry passengers around the West Cambridge Innovation District as part of a new sustainable transport pilot scheme supported by the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge.

Innovation that benefits society is at the heart of the ̽��ֱ��’s mission, and we are delighted to support the next phase of fully autonomous vehicle trials at the West Cambridge Innovation District.

Professor Ian Leslie, Senior Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor

Inside one of the autonomous vehicles trialled on the West Cambridge Innovation District in 2021

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

Yes

̽��ֱ��climate crisis: towards zero carbon

lw355 — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 07:35:22 +0000

If we are to avoid climate disaster we must sharply reduce our carbon dioxide emissions starting today – but how?

In a new film, Cambridge researchers describe their work on generating and storing renewable energy, reducing energy consumption, understanding the impact of climate policies, and probing how we can each reduce our environmental impact. Alumni Sir David Attenborough and Dr Jane Goodall DBE speak about the climate crisis and reasons for hope.

We hear about the ambitious new programme Cambridge Zero bringing together ideas and innovations to tackle the global challenge of climate catastrophe – and inspiring a generation of future leaders – and how the ̽��ֱ�� is looking at its own operations to develop a zero carbon pathway for the future.

Explore more:

Visit our spotlight on Sustainable Earth

Read our Horizons magazine: download a pdf; view on Issuu

Sir David Attenborough, Dr Jane Goodall DBE and leading Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� researchers talk about the urgency of climate crisis – and some of the solutions that will take us towards zero carbon.

There are huge opportunities to getting things right – the only way to operate is to believe we can do something about it – and I truly think we can.

Sir David Attenborough

̽��ֱ��Climate Crisis: Towards Zero Carbon

NASA

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Cambridge Green

cjb250 — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 09:15:20 +0000

From removing ruminant meat from its menus to building ‘green’ buildings, the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge is weaving sustainability into its very fabric. Only bold steps will help it achieve an ambitious target of becoming zero carbon by 2048 – or even earlier.

̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge adopts Science Based Target for carbon reduction

cjb250 — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 08:16:30 +0000

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� has also expressed an aspiration to be ten years ahead of its Science Based Target decarbonisation pathway at all times and to reach zero carbon by 2038.

“Scientists have made it clear that we need to take urgent action to prevent potentially catastrophic climate change,” says Professor Ian Leslie, Senior Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor with special responsibility for Environmental Sustainability.

“As a world-leading ̽��ֱ��, we need to not only take responsibility for our own carbon emissions, but also to demonstrate to others what is achievable. By setting an ambitious target for carbon reduction and aiming to reach it a decade early, we hope to provide opportunities for others to learn from our approach, including where we are successful and areas that are found to be challenging.”

Science Based Targets are based on independently developed models of what organisations need to do. Cambridge’s target is focused on scope 1 and 2 emissions targets: scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources; scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy.

“ ̽��ֱ��important point about Science Based Targets is that they are not arbitrary, but rather are robust and evidence-based,” adds Dr Emily Shuckburgh, Director of Research on Carbon Neutrality at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge. Dr Shuckburgh also leads Cambridge Zero, due to launch in the autumn.

“Achieving our commitment will undoubtedly be challenging, but it is a challenge we have a duty to meet. We encourage other universities and institutions to consider adopting similar commitments.”

Initially, the new commitment applies to the ̽��ֱ��’s operational estate, which includes buildings and assets that directly support its teaching and research activities. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is developing Science Based Targets for its wider estate and activities over the next three years.

Work that is already underway to reach the commitment includes:

looking at options to significantly reduce the amount of gas that the ̽��ֱ�� uses for space and water heating;
assessing the feasibility of developing a solar farm on ̽��ֱ�� land;
sourcing all of the ̽��ֱ��’s electricity from zero carbon sources;
a programme of energy efficiency improvements across the ̽��ֱ��’s estate.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is also taking steps to ensure that carbon is a key consideration in decisions relating to the development of new buildings.

Other proposals in the pipeline include providing the ̽��ֱ��’s departments with better data on their energy use and carbon emissions, so that staff and students are informed to take action and to measure the impact this is having.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� has also committed to develop targets for reducing its indirect (scope 3) carbon emissions, for example those from its supply chain and business travel, and is developing a number of initiatives to reduce these.

Science Based Targets are developed using models that calculate the level of carbon reduction a particular organisation needs to achieve in order to do its ‘fair share’ in reducing global emissions. As their starting point, the models reflect the amount by which global emissions need to be reduced to ensure that the goals set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement are achieved. ̽��ֱ��Paris Agreement, which is an international response to the threat of climate change, aims to limit the increase in global average temperature during this century to well below 2 degrees Celsius (measured against pre-industrial levels), ideally limiting the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s Science Based Target is based on the 1.5 degree limit. It shows by how much and how quickly the ̽��ֱ�� needs to reduce its emissions to ensure it is doing enough to help reduce global emissions to the levels that the latest climate science says is necessary to prevent the worst consequences of climate change.

̽��ֱ��models and data underlying the development of Science Based Targets are provided by the Science Based Targets Initiative and the International Energy Agency. Companies adopting their own Science Based Targets can also have them assessed and validated by the Initiative, although this service is not yet available to the higher education sector. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s target has not yet been validated, but it has been developed by an external consultant who has direct, relevant experience and is a member of the Initiative’s Technical Advisory Group.

For further information, see the Environment and Energy website.

Cambridge has become the first university in the world to announce that it has adopted a 1.5 degrees Science Based Target for carbon reduction, committing itself to reduce its energy-related carbon emissions to absolute zero by 2048, with a steep 75% decrease on 2015 emissions by 2030.

By setting an ambitious target for carbon reduction and aiming to reach it a decade early, we hope to provide opportunities for others to learn from our approach

Ian Leslie

Sir Cam

Solar panels at West Cambridge

A bold response to the world’s greatest challenge

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge is building on its existing research and launching an ambitious new climate change initiative. Cambridge Zero is not just about developing greener technologies. It will harness the full power of the ̽��ֱ��’s research and policy expertise, developing solutions that work for our lives, our society and our economy.

Yes

̽��ֱ�� launches fibre network joint venture with Cambridgeshire Council

plc32 — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 11:17:35 +0000

̽��ֱ��new company, Light Blue Fibre Ltd, will see the ̽��ֱ�� unite its technological expertise with the Council's ambition to deliver better digital connectivity across the city and beyond, by making both organisations’ extensive duct and fibre networks available on a commercial basis.

One of the first of its kind in the UK, this forward thinking initiative, will offer access to over 100km of existing ducting and dark fibre on a wholesale basis.

Light Blue Fibre aims to attract telecoms companies, infrastructure providers and local technology businesses who understand the importance of full fibre connectivity and are looking to save time and money by reducing the need for expensive and time-consuming infrastructure developments.

̽��ֱ��establishment of the company was supported at Cambridgeshire County Council’s Commercial & Investment Committee in February this year, when the go ahead was given for the development and commercialisation of the two organisations’ existing fibre ducting assets.

Board Members from the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire County Council formally signed an agreement to create the joint venture in May 2019, and the official launch of Light Blue Fibre took place today (Thursday 11 July) at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge’s historic Combination Room.

Both the ̽��ֱ�� and the Council have plans to further expand their duct and fibre assets and this pioneering collaboration will help businesses to access infrastructure that would otherwise be unavailable to them, so promoting competition and innovation.

̽��ֱ��County Council’s available fibre assets include ducting that is already incorporated into the construction of the Guided Busway, and will be included in all new major road, path and cycle projects following recently approved council policy to include fibre ducting during construction to extensively expand council’s network of infrastructure over the coming years.

̽��ֱ��Granta Backbone Network (GBN) is the ̽��ֱ��’s privately owned optical fibre network. Covering a large proportion of the historic city already, it radiates out to strategic locations delivering high speed, high-availability network services to colleges, institutions and research bodies linked to the ̽��ֱ��.

Professor Ian Leslie, Chair of the Board for Light Blue Fibre, said: “This is a very exciting joint venture. ̽��ֱ��development of Light Blue Fibre will make the existing and future ducting and fibre assets of two major networks in Cambridgeshire available for community and commercial use. It will provide local businesses, government, health and the education sector with cutting edge digital infrastructure, capable of meeting their data connectivity and communication needs for now and into the future and it gives the ̽��ֱ�� more opportunities for wider connectivity.”

Noelle Godfrey, Board Member for Cambridgeshire County Council, who leads the Connecting Cambridgeshire Digital Connectivity Programme, said: “Connectivity is a vital element of the Government’s national digital strategy which provides a foundation for economic strength, thriving communities and successful localities.

“Cambridgeshire County Council and ̽��ֱ�� Information Services network team have developed a strong collaboration over a number of years of joint working to the benefit of the local community and businesses alike, and this is the next step.”

Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries, said: “Through our modern Industrial Strategy we’re building a nationwide full fibre network to make the UK fit for the future.

“Local partnerships in Cambridgeshire are sharing resources and infrastructure in a new way to help realise this vision, bringing about a significant boost in gigabit speeds for the benefit of homes and businesses in rural areas.”

̽��ֱ��formation of Light Blue Fibre makes all the current and future fibre assets of the ̽��ֱ�� and the Council available on a wholesale basis, with no minimum term, providing quick and easy access.

More information can be found here: www.lightbluefibre.co.uk.

An innovative joint venture launched today by the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire County Council is opening up new opportunities for full fibre networks to expand Cambridgeshire’s digital infrastructure.

This is a very exciting joint venture

Professor Ian Leslie, Chair of the Board for Light Blue Fibre

Yes

Mobile communications for medicine

lw355 — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:30:16 +0000

̽��ֱ��use of mobile communications for healthcare delivery and health promotion – so-called ‘mHealth’ – is already proving valuable both in the developed world and in developing countries, where clinics and health workers may be scarce. In Africa and India, for example, mobiles are being used for remote diagnosis and to track epidemics. But perhaps the greatest opportunities – and also maybe the least well understood – are in China.

Understanding the costs and benefits of mHealth in China – and beyond this, the global potential of new applications – is the aim of a project sponsored by China Mobile, which has the world’s largest telecoms network and 10% of the world’s subscribers. Experts from many relevant disciplines (including the Computer Laboratory, Judge Business School, Department of Engineering, School of Clinical Medicine and Centre for Science and Policy) will come together to forecast how mobile communications can contribute to global sustainable development in healthcare.

̽��ֱ��study leader is Professor Ian Leslie from the Computer Laboratory. ‘ ̽��ֱ��global reach of mobiles is staggering,’ says Professor Leslie. ‘Current estimates are that even in remote areas, 50% of people will have mobile phones by 2012. Factor in the opportunities for all kinds of sensors and tracking devices to communicate cheaply via the mobile network, and it’s clear that there are enormous potential for healthcare, in both urban and rural populations.’

‘This short project,’ he added, ‘is necessarily a scoping exercise that will highlight current practice, but more importantly canvass researchers across a range of disciplines about what new applications and sensor technologies might be brought to bear, and their implications for mobile operators and policy makers.’ ̽��ֱ��team will analyse original field studies of actual deployments in China, as well as examine the societal benefits and economic value of mHealth and explore innovative ways of delivery. ̽��ֱ��final report is scheduled for early 2011.

For more information, please contact Dr Nick Gray (ng338@cam.ac.uk).

Cambridge researchers in collaboration with China Mobile are examining the potential of mobile phones to deliver healthcare in China and worldwide.

̽��ֱ��global reach of mobiles is staggering... it’s clear that there are enormous potential for healthcare, in both urban and rural populations.’

Professor Ian Leslie

China Mobile

Mobile communications

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Yes