The West Midlands is a region defined by movement. From the historic canals that fuelled the Industrial Revolution to the automotive giants of Coventry and Birmingham, the region’s identity has always been tied to how people travel and what they build. But as we look toward the next frontier Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM); how do we ensure this technology serves everyone in this uniquely diverse region?
Recently, the CulturalRoad project hosted a stakeholder workshop bringing together experts, local authorities, and community representatives from across the West Midlands. The goal was simple but ambitious: to move beyond the tech-first approach and understand the cultural, social, and geographical factors that will determine whether autonomous transport succeeds or fails in our streets.
Here are the key takeaways from our deep dive into the West Midlands demo site.
Bridging the urban-rural divide
While the West Midlands is often seen as a sprawling urban conurbation, stakeholders highlighted the pockets of isolation that exist in both rural fringes (like Solihull and South Coventry) and underserved urban transport deserts.
CCAM isn’t just about high-tech city shuttles; stakeholders identified a massive opportunity for automated vehicles to act as first and last mile connectors. By linking residents to existing bus and rail hubs, CCAM can help dissolve the barriers that currently limit access to jobs and education for those without private cars.
Trust is a cultural currency
In a region as ethnically and socio-economically diverse as the West Midlands, one size fits all communication doesn’t work. The workshop emphasised that trust is the biggest hurdle.
Participants noted that for many communities, there is a fear of being experimented on or being left behind by expensive new technologies. To counter this, stakeholders advocated for:
- Hyper-local engagement: Talking to people in their community centres, not just online.
- Transparency: Being clear about data privacy and who actually owns these services.
- Representation: Ensuring the AI and algorithms behind these vehicles recognise and respect the diversity of the people using our streets.
Safety beyond the sensor
Technologists often talk about safety in terms of collision avoidance. However, stakeholders pushed for a broader definition: Personal Safety.
In the West Midlands, the psychological factor of traveling in a vehicle without a human driver or conductor is significant. Stakeholders raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and how vulnerable users particularly women, the elderly, and those with disabilities will feel at night. The consensus? For CCAM to be equitable, it must feel as safe as a well-lit, staffed station, not just a robot on wheels.
Honouring the automotive heritage
There is a unique pride in the West Midlands regarding vehicle manufacturing. Stakeholders highlighted that the transition to autonomous transport shouldn’t be seen as the end of an era, but as a re-skilling opportunity. By positioning the region as a global hub for CCAM testing and deployment, we can ensure that the economic benefits—and the high-skilled jobs—stay right here in the heart of the UK.
What’s next?
The insights from this workshop are now being fed into the CulturalRoad Five-Pointed Star Rating System, which evaluates CCAM through the lenses of Inclusivity, Acceptance, Safety, Network Optimisation, and Psychological Factors.
The West Midlands has always been the workshop of the world. Now, through co-creation and community led design, it is becoming the workshop for a fairer, greener, and more connected future.
