Sector Focus
Business Travel
New brand for transport in the West Midlands
Public transport in the West Midlands is to get a new look in what is described as a “UK first”. West Midlands Transport (WMT) brings a single identity to bus, rail and
tram services plus cycling initiatives in the region in what is the first integrated transport system outside London. Each has its own distinctive livery – orange for trains, blue for trams, red
for buses, green for bikes – centred on the distinctive WMT diamond logo. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands
Combined Authority (WMCA), has introduced the new look to spearhead the drive towards a comprehensive and integrated system for the region. West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “Branding is not merely
dressing, it is about more people using public transport in an easy way. “Think of the iconic red London bus – it is recognised the world over
and the capital is rightly proud of it. This is our chance to inspire a similar sense of pride and identity for people in our region and the transport links that connect their lives. “For the first time we will have trains, trams, buses, and cycles with one
uniting identity which is enduring and, over time, becomes something which defines the West Midlands. “We are fortunate the stars have aligned to enable us to do this in a
cost effective way. TfWM recently took over the Metro so we would have needed to rebrand this in any case. “We will be rebranding bus stops and stations in the months and years
to come as part of the normal process of replacing them, meaning while this will be gradual, it will mostly be natural.” Much of the cost of the WMT rebranding is covered through existing schemes and contracts.
* Tram passengers will see lower fares and new ticket packages with the launch of the new era for the Metro, it has been announced.
New identity: Andy Street, Roger Lawrence (WMCA transport lead) and Laura Shoaf (managing director TfWM)
Airport plans are submitted
Birmingham Airport has submitted plans for £15m expansion of its terminal building. A planning application,
which includes an enlarged departure lounge and baggage area, has been submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. If the project, known as
Terminal Extension 3 (TE18), gets the green light it would involve some demolition work, reconfiguration and refurbishment of existing departure lounge toilets and re-provision of an existing smoking terrace. A Birmingham Airport
spokesperson said: “The planning application will be determined by SMBC, which will undertake its statutory three week public consultation process, once the application is validated.”
62 CHAMBERLINK September 2018 Connected car testing goes live
A project to create one of the world’s most advanced environments for connected and autonomous driving has entered its second phase of testing, with connected cars going on trial on public roads to prepare the UK’s road networks for self-driving cars. The second phase of the UK CITE
consortium will see Jaguar Land Rover trial a range of intelligent connected features such as emergency electronic brake light warning, emergency vehicle warning, and in-vehicle signage for road works warning and traffic condition warning. The UK CITE project will create
the UK’s first fully connected infrastructure, using a combination of wireless technologies, which can enable real-world testing in a safe and managed way. The project is funded by the
Government’s £100m Connected and Autonomous Vehicle fund. Part of the infrastructure work has seen the installation of 35 of Siemens’ ESCoS road side units on the M40
and M42 motorways. These units provide the technical
platform for real-time data exchange between vehicles and traffic control equipment. In addition to on-road testing,
simulation plays a key role in taking the project into its next phase. Claire Lewis, Visteon’s senior
business development manager, said: “This next phase of testing is critical in testing the capabilities and providing valuable metrics of the connected network we’re developing. The strides we’re making are creating vital technologies to enable a safer and more efficient road network.”
Driving test: self-driving cars will be tested on the UK’s roads
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