In this episode, Mark Collins, Head of Future Transport at Transport for West Midlands and Director at ITS UK, discusses the ambitious vision for the future of mobility in the West Midlands. With a background in mechanical engineering and experience at Jaguar Land Rover, he shares insights into innovative transport projects, including demand-responsive transport, mobility as a service, and the role of behavioural science in shaping sustainable travel habits. The conversation explores the challenges of integrating digital solutions, changing public transport models, and the importance of user experience in mobility innovation. Looking ahead, Mark highlights emerging trends such as AI-driven personalisation in transport and the need for systemic behavioural change to meet sustainability goals.

Overview of the Episode:

[00:01:14] Teaser Question: “If you could have one superpower to make your job for Transport for West Midlands and ITS UK easier, what would that superpower be?”

[00:02:59] Our guest’s background: Mark Collins shares his career journey, from mechanical engineering and Jaguar Land Rover to his current role at Transport for West Midlands.

[00:07:07] Introduction to ITS UK: The role of Intelligent Transport Systems UK in shaping mobility policies and innovation.

[00:09:28] Balancing environmental, social, and economic goals in transport projects.

[00:12:18] Challenging transport norms to drive innovation, with an example from the Future Transport Zone programme.

[00:15:41] Lessons learned from transport projects: Insights from the launch of e-scooter schemes.

[00:18:43] Future trends in transport: The role of AI, digital integration, micro-mobility, and the shift towards user-centric services.

[00:23:13] Main challenges in achieving sustainability goals: Integration complexities, user behaviour, and systemic transport issues.

[00:26:53] Outlook on the future of mobility: How to remain optimistic while driving change.

[00:30:59] The importance of user experience in transport design and communication.

[00:34:26] Podcast Segment - Shout Out: Recognising individuals making a difference in transport innovation.

[00:37:30] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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