THE MIDLANDS TRANSPORT HERITAGE
The Midlands region has a rich heritage in transport-related research and development. We have been making trains for over 200 years and making cars for 120 years.
There are now 20 rail centres of excellence and 16 of the world’s top 20 automotive suppliers located in the region. The Midlands is at the heart of the UKs transport infrastructure and at the centre of its freight network. The Midlands has two international airports – Birmingham International has a flow of over 10 million passengers per year, whilst East Midlands Airport is the UK’s second largest cargo facility handling over 328,000 tonnes of cargo each year. 45% of British rail freight and 33% of heavy road freight goes to or through the Midlands region.
The transport sector is at a time of significant change. The ways in which we move people and goods around whether it be by road, rail or air need to decarbonise. Innovations in autonomy and connectivity mean that the concepts of self-driving, autonomous vehicles are getting closer to being a reality.
Identified as a core strength of the region in the Midlands Engine Science and Innovation Audit, Midlands Innovation universities have significant expertise and world-class facilities in transport and mobility research areas.