Revolutionary 5G transport projects to be pioneered in West Midlands

Following a successful funding competition West Midlands 5G Limited (WM5G) is investing £2.4 million in seven UK-based consortiums to support the development of new products and services to transform transport across the region.

The funding competition’s first phase will deliver innovation projects that, if successful, will either provide a user case to improve road and rail operational efficiency, provide better-connected transport, or improve passenger experiences.

The projects are scheduled to run until the end of 2021, with many set to complete ahead of that deadline, and each project will include trialling and testing of their innovative service in the West Midlands region.

WM5G Limited is a multi-million-pound programme set up by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to develop the UK’s first region-wide 5G testbed.

DCMS expects to invest more than £20 million in this programme.

The winning projects are:

Capacity Manager, developed by Blacc, Immense, Elgin, University of Warwick, and O2
A traffic management solution in which live traffic data is transferred in real-time over 5G to a dynamic road network model. Artificial intelligence working on the data provided, combined with historic event information will create scenarios that provide real-time insights, allowing incidents and congestion to be better managed.  When proven, this will result in less congestion, with traffic flowing more freely – improving the experience of travelling around the region for work or leisure.

CURBS, developed by Vortex IoT, National Express, BT/EE
Using Lidar sensors and advanced software, real-time 3D point-cloud data will be sent over 5G to provide up-to-date and detailed maps, monitoring roads and rail infrastructure. Following a successful trial, the system will provide live on-street parking information, identify the location of potholes, improve cyclist safety, reduce vehicle damage, and much more.

Passenger Management, developed by GoMedia, Wordnerds and Icomera

An AI-led system – designed to improve passenger experiences and safety – provides intelligence in interpretation of live customer feedback over 5G. Immediate problems can be resolved and a database of categorised issues will provide insights for the operator to improve services. The aim is to enhance the traveller experience by improving the products and services available to passengers across the transport system.

Predikt, developed by AppyWay and Getmapping

A predictive parking system that uses 5G-enabled kerbside imaging to reduce the amount of time spent finding a parking space. This could reduce the estimated £373 million spent each year in wasted time, fuel and emissions caused by drivers searching for a place to park. If successful, drivers will have access to highly accurate predictive availability of parking spaces, making their journeys quicker and reducing the time vehicles spend on the road.

Transport Accessibility, developed by GoMedia and Icomera

More than 40 per cent of the visually impaired are unable to make all or some of their journeys with public transport independently – with the help of 5G, this project will rectify that by creating a passenger service that will allow more visually impaired people to travel on public transport, helping to develop the transport system of the future for all.

Tram Safety, developed by Icomera, Classone Systems, DigitalRail

Using 5G to stream CCTV footage from trams, images will be analysed real-time to detect people and objects. This will help to increase passenger safety, assist with social distancing, and identify where improvements to accessibility may be required. Passengers will benefit from a safer, more tailored service.

Urban Tourism, developed by You. Smart. Thing., Landmrk, Imagemakers and Oodl

Using 5G-enabled sensors at stations and major venues combined with booking and travel information, real-time traveller demand insights for rail and road networks will be created. ‘Last mile’ routes to destinations and investigations into how to influence travellers will be explored. This will provide a transport demand model for large cultural events – wholly enhancing the experience for those attending.

Chris Holmes, Programme Director – Transport at WM5G, said: “We have been delighted with the response to this first competition, which was heavily oversubscribed, and are really pleased to be awarding the funding to projects that we truly believe – when proven – will transform transport within the region. We look forward to seeing what our new partners deliver and will support them in the realisation of real and tangible benefits.”

Chris Lane, Head of Transport Innovation at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), added: “We have ambitious transport plans for the region and funding competition with West Midlands 5G forms a key part of that. The outcome of these trials will make a significant difference to transport across the region and have national relevance. This news further reinforces the West Midlands’ reputation as one of the UK’s number one locations for both 5G and transport innovation.”

A second round of the funding competition for 5G-enabled road and rail trials closes on Wednesday 2nd December 2020 at 11:00am. A share of up to an additonal £2.5 million is available to UK registered businesses.