We combine the latest technology with improvements in infrastructure to test out innovations which enable seamless, car-free and accessible journeys for all residents.
The Future Transport Zone is built upon an approach of trialling new interventions in the West of England, incorporating the best solutions into the region’s wider transport plans when future funding becomes available.
We have received £24.4 million from the Department for Transport to deliver this programme of investment in our region and the Combined Authority will also invest a further £3.65 million. The programme runs from July 2020 to March 2024.
The Future Transport Zone is built upon an approach of trialling new interventions to find the best travel solutions.
For people who don’t live close to a frequent bus route, starting or ending a journey with a long walk, or potentially a long wait if you miss a bus can discourage use of public transport.
Public e-scooters allow people to complete those first or last miles with ease, extending the catchment area of public transport and putting metrobus and MetroWest services within the reach of more people.
The current West of England e-scooter hire network is one of the most well used in Europe, and the government-supported trial has been extended until March 2022.
By bringing different transport services together at our one-stop trial Mobility Hub sites, we intend to make it easier for people to switch between modes such as bus, bicycle and e-scooter.
Our trial sites will be quickly implemented and through local engagement we will seek to make the urban spaces around the mobility hubs more attractive and accessible to everyone.
Many people are dependent on car ownership for getting to work. This means that non-drivers or those who can’t afford a car often end up with limited employment opportunities.
Dynamic Demand-Responsive Transport puts passengers in control of when and where they travel, through small capacity but highly flexible bus services to help people access jobs, leisure and education.
We will be running trial services in areas where people currently have difficulty getting around.
A new mobile app will integrate journey planning tools with payment and ticketing, enabling travellers to plan, pay for and undertake end to end journeys within a single platform.
This one-stop-shop will include all types of transport, significantly increasing the convenience of multi-mode journeys.
Behind the scenes, our Transport Data Hub will be able to process and analyse information from a range of sources to better understand how people get around.
This will be combined with our Living Lab, where we will seek out new ideas and innovations while users will be able to give direct feedback on what works and doesn’t work for them.
Transport isn’t just about moving people, but also moving goods and providing services to internal and external customers.
We will be starting trials of ecargo bikes at large sites such as hospitals and universities, monitoring efficiency and carbon savings over existing delivery methods, while in the longer term we will be carrying out urban freight trials for our city centres which can reduce congestion and pollution.
For updates on Future Transport Zone and opportunities to get involved as the programme develops, register at our procurement portal. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please email: ftz@westofengland-ca.gov.uk
If you are a supplier and would like to help us deliver our FTZ projects please email: ftz@westofengland-ca.gov.uk
The Future Transport Zone will test scalable solutions that deliver value for the West of England and provide learning for the region, the Department for Transport and the transport industry as a whole.