Transport

Transport connects people, places, goods and services. Innovation in transport has the potential to benefit our economy, society and environment. The transport system of the future will be more efficient, cleaner and smarter, through utilising enhanced digital, communication and autonomous technologies.

New design frameworks in our infrastructure have the potential to enhance efficiencies and transform our cities and towns to embrace new micro-mobility concepts. New business models will transform the lives of those in rural areas or create new ways to travel for all by ensuring accessibility.

By collaborating across sectors and furthering our developments in low carbon propulsion systems and fuels we can create a cleaner environment and improve the health of people and the planet.

Read our Perspectives article to learn more about how AI is driving productivity in the transport industry.

To find out more about how we can work with you to drive positive change in transport, contact us.

Our current focus in this area

Connected and Automated Vehicles offer transformational opportunities for safety, access to mobility, lower emissions and increased efficiency and productivity of our transport systems

Aviation is a key pillar in both the UK’s economic and societal prosperity. It supports growth in our tourism industry, increases trade and business investment, and connects people and places both domestically and internationally.

The Decarbonising Ports & Harbours Innovation Network’s overarching objective is to raise the profile of the critical part ports and harbours need to play in Maritime transport’s transition to net zero by 2050 and accelerate this transition by giving clear direction.

Future Flight services and enabling technologies such as AI and electric propulsion will transform how we connect people, transport goods and deliver services in a sustainable way that delivers socio-economic benefits across the UK.

Innovate UK Business Connect is a member and delivery partner of the Jet Zero Council (JZC) – a partnership between industry and government convening ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver zero-emission transatlantic flight within a generation and 10% sustainable aviation fuel in the UK fuel mix by 2030.

Governments across the globe are working and deploying plans to reduce carbon and particulate emissions to improve the environment for generations to come.

As an island nation the UK has traditionally been a leading player in the global maritime industry.

Micromobility is a trend that’s growing. Innovate UK Business Connect’s Transport Team is working closely with industry and government to understand the opportunities and the challenges.

Rail is essential to the economic, social and environmental health and growth of the UK, supporting essential travel, commuters, social and leisure travel, healthcare journeys and travel for education purposes. The rail network is the UK’s travel backbone, connecting rural communities to urban areas and facilitating opportunities for all.

Liquid fuels will be a requirement for long-haul air travel in the longer term and a requirement for short haul whilst new technologies such as electric and electric/hybrid are developed. Aviation contributes around 2-3% to global CO2 emissions; through the International Civil Aviation Organization, the industry is committed to carbon neutral growth from 2021.

This Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Supplier Directory has been developed by Innovate UK Business Connect and Jet Zero Council SAF Delivery Group (JZC SAF DG) members to provide a supply of SAF to customers interested in reducing the carbon footprint of their air travel.

Transport Systems looks holistically across transport modes, infrastructure and control systems (e.g. communication, smart ticketing, remote control & supervision) as well as new business models such as Mobility-as-a-Service.

Related Opportunities

SBRI: Accessible solutions for disrupted journeys

Opens: 19/02/2024 Closes: 03/04/2024

Organisations can apply for a share of £1m to develop an accessible and inclusive solution, physical or digital, to support transport users when a journey is disrupted.

More Information

Feasibility studies for Artificial Intelligence solutions: Series 2

Opens: 27/03/2024 Closes: 08/05/2024

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £5m to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address business challenges and opportunities.

More Information

HS2 Accelerator March 2024

Opens: 15/03/2024 Closes: 28/04/2024

The HS2 programme is searching for six small businesses who will be accelerated through a bespoke five-month programme to develop new rail technology ideas.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Fri
26
Apr
2024

EIT Urban Mobility: UK community building and upcoming funding opportunities

10.00 - 11.30 | Online

Register for this event
Wed
13
Mar
2024

AI for Transport Workshop

10.00 - 15.30 | Cheshire

Recording coming soon
See all events

Our Experts

Related News

Charting the evolution of lower emission HGVs: from 2010 roadmap to 2038 vision

19/01/2024

Charting the evolution of lower emission HGVs: from 2010 roadmap to 2038 vision

In 2010 a low carbon HGV technology roadmap predicted by 2050 the use of a hydrogen and low carbon fuel mixture. From 2025 the UK’s large-scale demonstrator aims to deploy almost 400 electric vehicles and hydrogen powered, zero emission trucks on the road. But what will things look like at the halfway mark, in 2038?

Read more
Multimodal Hubs: accelerating new solutions

08/12/2023

Multimodal Hubs: accelerating new solutions

On Wednesday 29 November Innovate UK KTN gathered in Milton Keynes, bringing together Local Authorities, Mobility operators and cutting-edge digital businesses discussing the future of Multimodal Hubs.

Read more
More News

For general enquiries regarding our Transport sector contact us now

Close

Connect with Innovate UK Business Connect

Join Innovate UK Business Connect's mailing list to receive updates on funding opportunities, events and to access Innovate UK Business Connect's deep expertise. Please check your email to confirm your subscription and select your area(s) of interest.