The UK’s local authorities and regional transport operators are to explore how self-driving vehicle technology can improve local transport in remote, rural, and urban areas.

The government has said that some local authorities and transport operators will be awarded a share of £1.3 million in funding to study the feasibility of self-driving mass transit solutions across the UK.

It added that Northumberland, Solihull, Inverness, and the Isle of Skye are some of the rural areas that will benefit from £1.3 million in funding for six projects.

Studies will look into how self-driving vehicle technology could be "cheaper, emit less carbon, and increase transport safety and security".

"Self-driving vehicles could revolutionise public transport and passenger travel, especially for those who don’t drive, better connect rural communities and reduce road collisions caused by human error," said the government.

Winners of the funding include Autonomous Healthlink in Northumberland, a project studying the feasibility of a zero emission self-driving system on a segregated route between Seaton Delaval Station to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington.

The study will aim to increase accessibility to the hospital to support the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s plan to develop the site and increase patient services.

Another project is focusing on commercialising connected and automated vehicle services in the Scottish Highlands and the Islands of Inverness and Isle of Skye.

The service will link Inverness College University of the Highlands and Islands Campus to key locations in Inverness and connect ferry passengers to public transport at Uig Pier on the Isle of Skye.

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