The latest round of the UK government’s £1.3m Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) is now open, with organisations and academics able to win up to £45,000 in funding.
The TRIG scheme, delivered by Connected Places Catapult, aims to support businesses and academics working on innovative ideas designed to improve transport across the country.
Previous TRIG winners have subsequently developed innovations that better connect rural communities with a shuttle bus app; ensure people can stay online whilst travelling by sea by expanding 5G data coverage; use AI technology to provide real-time insights to authorities on how local transport is being used so it can be improved; and trial the use of hydrogen to make plane and boat journeys greener.
UK decarbonisation, aviation and technology minister, Anthony Browne, said: “As part of our plan to improve transport across the country, we’re continuing to back the TRIG competition, which has funded hundreds of cutting-edge projects over more than a decade.
“Today’s competition launch means projects in their early stages can win tens of thousands of pounds to help improve transport and support skilled UK jobs in the process.”
This year’s competition seeks proposals focused on:
- Nation-specific transport solutions – projects that address specific transport challenges in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland to level up the whole of the UK’s transport system and boost connectivity
- Local transport decarbonisation – ideas that accelerate the decarbonisation of local transport systems, demonstrating an understanding of the needs of local areas and communities, whilst also having the potential to be scaled up across the UK in the future
- Maritime decarbonisation – maritime solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the UK’s maritime sector to support the transition to net zero
- Critical and emerging technologies – ideas that utilise critical technologies, such as AI, or any emerging technologies, such as drones, to enable a resilient transport system delivering cheaper, cleaner, and quicker journeys for all
- Open call – wider solutions that have the potential to address a UK transport challenge, across the entire network, challenges and technology areas
Last year’s TRIG competition saw 41 projects win funding, including a project that uses AI to reduce train station overcrowding, and a self-driving parcel delivery boat to reduce road congestion.
READ MORE: Winners of 2023 TRIG competition revealed
TRIG has been running for a decade, funding more than 400 companies with more than £14m in investment, with winners regularly delivering their solutions, resulting in benefits for passengers.
For example, RideTandem, created an app-based on-demand shuttle bus service for employers and schools, aimed at areas where conventional public transport is not viable.
Tatseng Chiam, co-founder and COO at RideTandem, said: “An initial TRIG grant in 2019 enabled us to develop our first initial tech prototype, and we appreciated the TRIG team’s willingness to accommodate our product pivot during a challenging period in Covid-19.
“We’re delighted to have received further support from TRIG 2023 as we experiment with how AI-powered predictive analytics could be integrated into our tech platform.
RideTandem showcased its eco-friendly shuttle bus service at this year’s Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition, which took place on 19-20 March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham.
The event, organised by CiTTi Magazine publisher Akabo Media, was co-located with IntraLogisteX and Robotics and Automation, and saw a record attendance of nearly 9,000 people, 250 exhibiting companies and 60+ conference speakers.
Applications for this year’s TRIG competition open today and close on 21 May 2024.
Achievements and innovations in sustainable urban mobility will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
