Next-generation cars to tackle Lafarge-built test track

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Lafarge Contracting help build revolutionary hi-tech test track for the cars of tomorrow

PROTOTYPE cars of the future are being driven today on a revolutionary new test track built by Lafarge Contracting. The pioneering ‘cityscape’ circuit replicates the road network of a typical urban environment but is equipped with highly sophisticated telemetry, communications, monitoring and vehicle-control technologies.

Created for innovITS, a private firm set up by the last government to drive innovation in transport, the test track is said to be the world’s first purpose-built centre for the development of intelligent transport systems.

Located at MIRA headquarters, near Nuneaton, the new innovITS Advance City Circuit features junctions, intersections, roundabouts and multi-lane highways with a range of surfaces, together with traffic signals, CCTV and catwalk gantries allowing installation of overhead equipment for testing, monitoring and signage.

Lafarge were appointed to carry out two rounds of work on the circuit, which has been specially designed to test the next-generation of ultra-smart cars featuring advances such as on-board pedestrian-detection and collision-avoidance intelligence.

Phil Pettitt, chief executive of innovITS, said: ‘In delivering the two construction phases of innovITS’ Advance City Circuit, Lafarge have worked with us to tight deadlines and budgets to produce a unique and innovative facility despite some unexpected changes and severe weather.’

Richard Wiltshire, Lafarge Contracting project manager, added: ‘This was one of the most unusual and challenging schemes we have undertake. We put in around 4km of track, installed all the drainage, power and data cabling, threaded the whole circuit with fibre optics and erected four overhead gantries, eight CCTV cameras and 12 street lights.

‘We were also able to use some of our high-performance, durable materials, including Axoshield and Axoaltoflex, as well as recycling planings from works to the access roads. No general waste went to landfill and, despite one of the worst winters for decades during our second phased on site, all works were completed on time.’