Siemens to deliver connected infrastructure for UK’s MFM project

Siemens Mobility has secured a contract to deliver connected mobility infrastructure and software services for the Midlands Future Mobility (MFM) project in the UK.

The MFM project involves creating an on-street testbed of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) in the West Midlands.

The contract was awarded by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), a key member of the consortium conducting the project.

Under the contract, Siemens Mobility, as the principal contractor for Phase I of the MFM programme, will be responsible for deploying the necessary infrastructure and software services for the first two years of operation.

The work includes providing test on-board units, connection to CCTV video analytics and weather sensors, and the delivery of a communications network.

The company will also be responsible for testing and commissioning all equipment, following installation.

Siemens Mobility UK Intelligent Traffic Systems managing director Wilke Reints said: “We are particularly pleased to have been awarded this contract, taking the original specification and enhancing it to provide an innovative, efficient and cost-effective solution.

“With CAVs offering huge potential to improve safety, reduce congestion and help optimise traffic flow, this project is a further demonstration of the UK’s capabilities in this exciting and fast-moving sector.

“It allows us collectively to demonstrate how smart technology enables vehicles to be connected via high-speed, high-capacity wireless infrastructure across a whole road network, with no loss of signal.”

Overall, the MFM project will include a network of more than 300km of roads with closed circuit television, global navigation satellite system correction equipment and weather stations.

It will help the stakeholders to assess the performance of the self-driving vehicles under real-world situations.

It will also enable managed interaction between CAVs and other road users in the region.