A Midlands construction firm has landed a £2.1 million contract to create a test facility which is set to transform car parking and help shape the future of motoring.
Nuneaton-based global automotive engineering and development consultancy HORIBA MIRA is creating the UK’s first facility to test and support the development of automated parking solutions.
The ‘Trusted Autonomous Parking’ project is being delivered in partnership with Coventry University.
HORIBA MIRA has appointed Coventry-based Deeley Construction as the main contractor for the development.
It will feature a multi-storey car park consisting of four levels and off highway and on highway parking to replicate different types of car parking at the facility.
The facility will provide real-world parking situations to further support the development of self-parking solutions and is located on HORIBA MIRA’s existing City Circuit test facility.
Deeley Construction’s work will also include associated infrastructure, such as roads, cycle lanes and roundabouts, in the area.
It marks the 10th project that Deeley Construction has worked on at HORIBA MIRA and completion is expected for Autumn 2020.
Martin Gallagher, managing director of Deeley Construction, said: “We have a fantastic relationship with HORIBA MIRA, stretching back to our first project on the MIRA Technology Park in 2010.
“Our team are due to start work on site in the next couple of weeks and we’re delighted to be involved in this exciting project which could change the face of car parking for years to come.
“We will ensure the strict tolerances set in the specification are met to ensure HORIBA MIRA can carry out precise autonomous vehicle testing.
“The site is located on the existing, busy Proving Ground and our on-site team will ensure minimal disruption to the day-to-day operations at the facility, whilst also operating safe social distancing measures.
“We look forward to working alongside HORIBA MIRA to complete this very exciting project over the course of the next six months.”
Chris Reeves, Head of CAV Technologies at HORIBA MIRA said: “This new facility will deliver a comprehensive testing environment for the development of autonomous driving and autonomous parking solutions, enabling us to test the next generation of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies in a safe and repeatable way.”