West Midlands AI technology wins major global award for road safety innovation

A pioneering road safety project in the West Midlands that harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has earned global recognition for its role in improving road safety. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), in partnership with VivaCity, has received the Most Promising Project Award at the International Invention and Innovation Competition for their innovative ‘Near […]
DfT stalwart Hanson wins top ITS UK honour

One of the most influential professionals in the UK ITS industry, Graham Hanson, has won the Rees Hills Award for Personal Contribution and Achievement at the Intelligent Transport Systems UK awards in London, while Valerann, AGD Systems, Westcotec and Yunex Traffic were among others honoured at the prestigious event. The Rees-Hills award is named in […]
West Midlands Mayor pledges bus improvements within two and a half years

The West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, has promised that the region’s bus users will start to see improvements to the network ‘two years from next spring’. His pledge to create a public franchise system similar Greater Manchester’s was a key element of his election campaign. Mayor Parker plans to regain control from private operators over timetables, routes […]
A34: Smart sensor trial to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians begins

Transport for West Midlands and Solihull Council are trialling smart sensor technology on the A34 in Solihull with the aim of making busy crossings safer for cyclists and pedestrians. The innovative technology from VivaCity has been installed at a toucan crossing near Blythe Valley on Stratford Road. The sensors detect cyclists 20-30m away from the […]
Transport Safety Officer wins regional award after issuing 875 warnings in a year

West Midlands transport safety officer Paul Wheatley has scooped a major award after becoming the scourge of troublemakers and a reassuring figure for thousands of commuters on the region’s trains, buses and trams. During 1,186 hours on the beat, the prolific patrolman helped more than 6,000 people last year covering a wide range of issues […]
New West Midlands mayor outlines bus reform plans

The newly elected West Midlands mayor has given more detail on his plans to reform bus services in the region. A pledge to create a franchise system, to regain control over timetables, routes and fares while private contractors own and run the vehicles, was a key element of Richard Parker’s election campaign, reports the BBC. […]
TfWM: Road Safety Action Plan consultation announced

TfWM will be updating its Road Safety Action Plan in 2024. The document will set out the actions the authority plan to take as a region to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. TfWM want to hear your views on how it can make journeys safer across the region. The public are invited […]
New local travel hubs bring cycle hire and transport services closer to communities in Halesowen

New local travel hubs offering communities easy access to bikes, electric car chargers and other services are to be trialled on the streets of Halesowen. Called Local Travel Points (LTPs), the first three hubs are set to be installed at Huntingtree Park, Cross Street and Andrew Road over the next two months. The modular hubs […]
Last bus promise included in new passenger charter in West Midlands

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and bus operators have made a commitment to deliver a minimum standard of service under the West Midlands Bus Passenger Charter. The charter includes for the first time a ‘last bus promise’ under which passengers whose final bus of the day is cancelled or leaves earlier than usual can claim compensation […]
Plans to make bus journeys more reliable in Solihull to be revealed

Detailed designs for new bus lanes, shelters and junction upgrades on the busy Hobs Moat Road/Lode Lane commuter route in Solihull are being unveiled. The new infrastructure will allow buses to bypass traffic queues between Solihull town centre and the A45 Coventry Road making journeys more reliable, regular and predictable for passengers. It is part […]