West Midlands 5G (WM5G), in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), West Midlands Combined Authority and in collaboration with Innovate UK, will invest up to £5 million in innovation projects that develop a new service or product. These must improve road and rail operational efficiency, provide better-connected transport or improve the experience for travellers.

We are running two briefing events to help potential applicants:

Agenda:

Welcome and introduction to WM5G Limited
Scope and background to the competition call
Application process
Q&A
Lunch
2-minute “pitching sessions” from potential applicants
Networking

Additional information on the 5G- enabled road and rail transport trials in the West Midlands competition call:

Project applications must focus on one of the use cases listed in the specific themes below and be suitable for trial in the West Midlands using the live 5G environment. They must demonstrate how 5G is essential to developing your new service or product or offers a significant enhancement compared to current mobile communications.

Improvements in the operation of roads to reduce congestion and improve safety.
Improvements in train, tram or bus services to enhance the business operational efficiency or service offered.
Better joined-up public transport services (bus, train, tram). This will provide more cohesive travel solutions and transport information across the modes of transport, improving the experience for travellers.

Please note:

This is the first competition of its kind and will be followed by another competition in January 2021.

Projects up to 8 months long must have total eligible costs of less than £500,000. For projects, up to 12 months long must be less than £1.0 million. For projects, up to 18 months long must be less than £3.0 million. 50% Grant funding is available.

Statement of Intent

The Knowledge Transfer Network is committed to increasing diversity and advancing equality of opportunity to create a vibrate climate of inclusiveness across the sectors that we serve.

As a responsible business, it is important to us that we represent the diversity of our people and communities, and that we create an inclusive innovation ecosystem in the UK in which everyone can reach their full potential.

It is vital that we monitor and analyse diversity information so that we can ensure that our processes, events and communications are far, transparent, promote equality of opportunity for all, and do not have an adverse impact on any particular group.

Your cooperation in providing us with accurate data will ensure that we design and apply policies and processes that embrace a diverse and inclusive environment.

Any information provided on this form will be treated as strictly confidential and will be used for statistical purposes only.

No information will be published or used in any way which allows any individual to be identified.

Postponed: 5G - Enabled Road and Rail Transport Trials in the West Midlands - Birmingham