A funding round worth £1.85m from the UK government, announced today [12 December], has been confirmed for the development of early stage research projects to support innovative transport solutions.
The programme is intended to both drive UK-based innovation and generate growth across the sector. It also closely follows last week’s announcement of £73m for UK-based clean transport projects.
The Department for Transport has said as many as 60 projects could win a share of the £1.85m fund, the previous winners of which include projects using drones to find missing people in remote areas, trialling 3D technology to improve transport accessibility and exploring how magnetic technology could improve rail services in rain and snow.
Jesse Norman, transport and decarbonisation minister, said: “AI rescue drones, magnetic train tech, and sensors to help visually impaired people are just some of the cutting-edge transport projects this programme has already funded.
“We’re determined to support path-breaking R&D across the UK. This new round of funding is designed to find the next top tech projects that will improve transport for millions across the UK.
“By aiming at emerging start-ups and small businesses we can ensure we build a tech base for the future.”
The scheme, named the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG), covers five targeted funding calls, as well as an open call for any transport-related idea.
The named areas are maritime decarbonisation, the future of freight, local transport decarbonisation, transport resilience to severe weather and flooding and improving the rail passenger experience.
Since TRIG was launched in 2014, the government reports that more than £10m in funding has been awarded to support almost 300 projects, with the three hundredth set to be awarded through this current funding round.
