Transport for West Midlands and Vodafone to bring 5G Technology to commuters

According to the latest reports, Transport for West Midlands has recently embarked on an exciting project which will see them partner with Vodafone. The aim of the collaboration will be to bring 5G technology to the region’s commuters. Among their ambitious and forward-thinking plans are cars that will be able to locate their own parking spaces and trams which can self-report faults. The aim of the project is to improve travel throughout the local area, and 5G is slated to play a key role in these changes.

An ambitious regeneration plan

These updates will occur as part of more extensive plans to jumpstart the economy, drive investment, and create new jobs moving forward. Those involved in the project have revealed that the goal will be to identify where 5G technology can best be put to use in order to improve transport and reduce traffic and emissions. According to Ian Ward, the leader of Birmingham City Council, the plans for parking and tram innovations mentioned above are just the beginning and go only a small way toward showing how cutting-edge tech can be used to make travel faster, easier, and more convenient for commuters.

The parking availability tech that Transport for West Midlands is planning to introduce has already been put through preliminary trials, where 5G was used to indicate to drivers where there were free spaces for them to use. Created in collaboration with parking tech provider AppyWay, this innovative technology relies on a live street scan which can provide drivers with real-time updates with regards to empty spaces, information which is transmitted via 5G. Those behind the project explain that this could have a number of perks that will enhance the overall travel experience, from improving traffic flow and reducing emissions through to minimizing congestion, enhancing air quality, and making the city centre more accessible for those who are visiting.

Installing 5G tech on the region’s trams

It’s not only drivers who are likely to benefit from these changes. Those who utilise the region’s tram network will also find that their experience is improved by the latest innovations, among them 5G access. This will serve a number of functions. Firstly, CCTV systems will be able to connect to this new technology, enabling the capture of high-definition footage that can be monitored in real-time. This will enable operators to enhance security and create a safer on-board experience. Not only this, but travellers will be able to tap into this network too. This means that streaming movies in-situ will be made quicker and more efficient, while those who game on the go will benefit from faster loading times as well. For example, if you were to use the ComeOn app here to play casino games on board, you’d likely discover that the full range of slot, table, and card games on offer were far easier and speedier to download than previously.

According to Mayor Andy Street, these measures are intended to place the region at the very forefront of innovation in the sector, allowing it to act as an inspiration to other local councils and show them exactly what’s possible when it comes to developing the transport systems of the future.