West Midlands

Stakeholder

Recommendations / Suggestions

Concerns / Barriers

Service Providers

Public Transport Operators, Mobility operators, Private ride hauling companies

  • Utilization of technology to reduce operational costs (e.g., by eliminating the need for drivers) and to extend service hours and routes, particularly benefiting rural and underserved areas.
  • Demonstration and communication of how new mobility technologies can improve user experience to increase adoption.
  • Public transport is insufficient in rural areas, making car travel significantly faster and more convenient.
  • Difficulty of digitalization of transport which may limit the adoption of new technologies.
  • Older generations are not accepting technological changes, which affects the success of digital initiatives.
  • Private cars are favored for their convenience, flexibility, and time-saving advantages.
  • Without clear promotion of CCAM advantages, users are unlikely to adopt new technologies.

Government

Transport Authorities, Road Authorities (public bodies), Infrastructure managers, Municipalities / Cities/ Regions

  • Prioritize affordability to encourage public transport use.
  • Promotion of Trains and Trams as a mode avoiding traffic congestion.
  • Cross sector collaboration to improve mobility solutions.
  • Reduce complexity in transport-related technologies/apps to make them more user-friendly and encourage adoption
  • Expensive and unpleasant train experiences discourage people from using public transport.
  • Governmental regulations are do not keep pace with the technological advancements
  • The cost of transport is the primary barrier.
  • Multiple layers of interaction (apps, payments, questionnaires) create friction and deter use.
  • Due to technological barriers, people may choose cars over public transport.

Industry

Autonomous vehicles manufacturers, suppliers. ITS solutions’ providers. AI providers

  • Technologies like autonomous vehicles should meet the needs of people with disabilities.
  • Flexible and adaptable transport options for diverse user requirements.
  • Demonstrations on how data sharing can enhance technology and thus user experience.
  • Older generations may distrust or be unfamiliar with new technologies, decreasing adoption.

Non-profit organization and representative bodies

Driver’s associations
Trade associations
Cyclists’ associations
Environmental associations
Consumers’ associations.

  • Design mobility systems inclusively, addressing specific accessibility needs like level boarding and dropped curbs.
  • Prioritize enhancing current mobility systems to ensure they function properly before adding new technologies.
  • Promote community-based support and peer-to-peer initiatives to make public transport more appealing.
  • Improve cybersecurity measures and transparently communicate data protection regulations.
  • Public transport often fails to meet the needs of people with disabilities, who may rely on personal vehicle modifications.
  • Public unwillingness to share personal data for service improvements.
  • Existing infrastructure may not support new technologies, and issues need resolution before introducing innovations.
  • Skepticism toward human drivers might extend to autonomous vehicles, affecting public acceptance.
  • Public transport often doesn’t provide door-to-door service, making it less practical.
  • Previous negative experiences with technology can discourage people from trying new mobility platforms.
  • Previous experiences on major data breaches affects the trust on technology and cybersecurity.
  • Public transport suffers from a negative reputation, making people reluctant to use it.

Universities and Knowledge institutions

  • Importance of digitalization in improving access to mobility services, even if it doesn’t directly impact autonomous vehicles usage.
  • Utilization of technological advancements to improve efficiency and effectiveness in transportation.
  • Alignment of commercial interests with public services.
  • Demonstrate the increasing role of digital solutions in daily life and incorporate them into mobility services accordingly.
  • Difficulties in connection between urban and suburban areas which deteriorates mobility.
  • Digitalization may not directly influence the adoption of autonomous vehicles
  • Many rely on public transport due to a lack of affordable alternatives.
  • Older individuals tend to trust technology less, affecting adoption.
  • Data Tracking/Privacy Concerns
  • Discrepancies between what is commercially feasible and what public services demand.

Key Insights by Stakeholder Group

Service Providers

Service providers mentioned that private cars remain the preferred choice due to their convenience, flexibility, and the avoidance of waiting times compared to public transport. They also emphasized the need for clear, demonstrable benefits of new technologies to encourage user adoption, as well as the importance of addressing the generational technology gap, where older users may feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable with digital tools. To reduce car dependency, there is a critical need for better rural public transport options, which technology can support by offering cost savings and expanding services, particularly in underserved areas. However, fully digitalizing community transport may not be feasible, suggesting a mixed approach could be more effective to accommodate diverse user needs and generational differences in tech acceptance.

Government

Government stakeholders emphasized that the high cost of public transport, makes it an unattractive option for many, indicate the need for affordable alternatives to improve accessibility. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of keeping legislation aligned with technological advancements to build public trust in new mobility options, such as autonomous vehicles. Mobility improvements are possible from cross-sector collaboration.

Industry

Industry stakeholders noted that autonomous vehicles (AVs) hold significant potential for enhancing mobility for disabled individuals if designed with inclusivity as a priority. They emphasized that mobility services should be genuinely customizable, adapting to diverse user needs to ensure inclusivity. Furthermore, clear communication about how data sharing enhances the user experience is essential for building trust and encouraging public engagement with new mobility technologies.

Non-profit organizations
and representative bodies

Non-profit organizations and representative bodies emphasized the need to improve public transport’s negative reputation, noting that enhancing accessibility and reliability can reshape public perception and boost adoption. Privacy and cybersecurity concerns remain high, as frequent data breaches reinforce public wariness about data sharing, especially when benefits are unclear. Community-based solutions, such as peer-to-peer or community support, were highlighted as ways to increase public transport usage and enhance the overall user experience. Last-mile connectivity issues, where public transport does not provide door-to-door service, make private car use more appealing for end-to-end convenience. Trust in mobility platforms depends significantly on user experience; negative past experiences may discourage future adoption. Accessibility gaps in public transport particularly affect people with disabilities, leading them to rely on private cars. Addressing privacy concerns around data use is essential, as many remain hesitant about sharing personal data without assurance of its safety and purpose. Additionally, prioritizing infrastructure improvements before introducing new technologies is crucial to ensure current systems work reliably and can support future innovations effectively.

Universities
and Knowledge Institutions

Universities and Knowledge Institutions emphasized that improving connectivity between suburban urban areas is vital for enhancing mobility and reducing car dependency. While digital tools can improve access to mobility services, they may not directly influence the adoption of autonomous vehicles; therefore, clear communication about the role of technology in everyday mobility is essential to foster public support. Growing awareness and concern about data tracking and privacy could inhibit technology adoption if not addressed openly, and there is a notable generational divide in trust toward technology, with younger users generally more accepting yet still wary of privacy issues. Many people use public transport due to limited options rather than preference, highlighting the need for more affordable and diverse transportation solutions. Additionally, while technology offers promising ways to make transport systems more efficient, balancing commercial viability with public service demands remains a challenge.