WECA Future Mobility Zone

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about) has submitted an application for the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) to fund a £28 million 'Future Mobility Living Lab'

The aim of the West of England Future Mobility Zone is to co-design, trial and demonstrate replicable transport innovations that can improve connectivity, enhancing regional productivity, widening access to employment and creating a globally significant demonstrator to drive trade and inward investment.

Source: WECA

This scheme's main components are a Data Hub and Mobility as a Service (MaaS), and covers four scheme areas: Central Bristol, Bath, the Northern Arc (Avonmouth, Severnside, Emerson's Green and the North Fringe) and Bristol Airport.

The MaaS element incorporates micromobility services and dynamic demand responsive transport (DDRT), potentially using connected and autonomous vehicles. The micromobility project is 'mode agnostic' and, interestingly has this:

E-scooter trial

We will review the regulatory regime and aim to run a private-site trial, working with a mobility provider. In the long-term we aim to work with DfT to create an environment for public-road testing using potential routes/trial areas, as presented in Appendix 8. We will work with DfT, the market, stakeholders and local communities to ensure safe user-led trials.

There's a lot of detail in the 88-page proposal. A key element will be mobility hubs and points; typically these might be at a hospital or train station, and will offer a range of options such as public transport services, EV charging (for shared or private vehicles), cycle parking, pick up/drop off points, cafe, freight consolidation etc.

There's probably quite a bit that I've missed, so do feel free to read through and comment on anything else that's interesting! The full proposal is at https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/WECA-FMZ-Bid-Submission-Redaction-V2.pdf

[TonyK]

WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about) has submitted an application for the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) to fund a £28 million 'Future Mobility Living Lab'

Very interesting indeed, possibly cutting edge stuff, although history suggests it may be value-engineered down to a MetroBust stop somewhere.

This is pretty obviously contingent upon the expansion of Bristol Airport, with the stated objective of reducing the number of single-occupancy trips to there. That will disappoint anyone hoping to see a block on expansion or even reduction of flights. The expansion of employment at Temple Quarter from 3,000 to 22,000 jobs shows what an urgent task is in store to get everyone there without a car, and the forecast 25% increase in "demand for mobility" does rather show that the status quo can't cope for much longer, if indeed it does at present. Those numbers are scary!

My eyes glazed over by page 20, but I shall return to read more.