Since the middle of February new JAB codes have been seen around the West Midlands Metro network – both on tram 35 and also at various stops along the line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. It has now been revealed that this is the UK’s first 5G connected tram as part of a regional transport trial in a partnership between West Midlands 5G (WM5G), West Midlands Metro, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), GoMedia and Icomera.
Currently trams collect a variety of valuable information – including CCTV footage as well as vehicle performance and maintenance data – and this is downloaded manually outside of operating hours. But with the 5G equipment this will allow the high-definition CCTV footage captured on the tram to be securely and remotely transferred to the Regional Traffic Control Centre while it is still in operation.
It is hoped that the ability to transmit high-levels of data almost instantaneously will unlock opportunities to further strengthen passenger safety and this has now been proven by WM5G and its partners. Live travel updates should be available to passengers on board as well as the ability to stream on-board entertainment – this is described as the gold standard for public transportation (although we are sure there will be some reading this who think the opposite!)
From the operator point of view it will enable more flexibility in managing services to meet passenger demand and navigate challenges related to COVID-19, including managing social distancing and boosting public confidence in travelling on the trams. Being able to access real time information on passenger numbers will help the operator to establish capacity, minimise crowing at stops and onboard services.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Transport is an integral cornerstone to any region and the West Midlands is breaking new ground in using 5G to developing transport that is fit for the future. The development and improvement of our regional transport network also provides better connections to jobs and employment opportunities, helping local communities and businesses to grow and thrive.”
Chris Holmes, Programme Director of Transport at WM5G, added: “This project is a great demonstrator of how 5G can transform the way that public transport services are delivered. Our 5G-connected tram is a great showcase for what the future of connected transport could look like across both the West Midlands and beyond.”
While Sophie Allison, Head of Business Transformation at West Midlands Metro, commented: “We’re proud to be working in partnership on this new initiative, it’s our shared ambition to utilise new technologies to improve services for passengers across the region. This collaboration has enabled us to use the advances in 5G technology to monitor the tram network in real-time. As well as unlocking the potential for a host of initiatives to enhance the customer experience, we now have the proven ability to transmit CCTV footage to our Operational Control Centre and the Regional Traffic Control Centre quickly, reliably and securely – helping to improve passenger safety. We are pleased to be pioneers on this project, which has helped to demonstrate the benefits of 5G.”
We started off this article mentioned JAB codes but just what is a JAB code I hear you ask! Well, according to the internet it stands for Just Another Barcode and unlike a traditional QR code (which most people will be familiar with from various places) is a colour bar code which allows more data to be encoded than a traditional black and white code. So far they have been seen applied to the front of 35 as well as at stops including St Chads. The information included in the JAB code should help provide information to less accessible users of the network.
35 is seen at Library with the JAB code seen on the end – the other end also has one.
A close-up of the JAB code square.
The stop information sign at St Chads which also have one of the code square affixed. (All Photographs by Roland Bull)