Search begins for innovators to test tech at Bristol Temple Meads

18.07.24 BRISTOL, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, has today announced the opening of applications to join the next cohort of innovators developing their solutions as part of the Station Innovation Zone.

Now in its third year of operation, the Station Innovation Zone is a partnership between Connected Places Catapult and Network Rail, supported by Great Western Railway and funded by Innovate UK. It creates an environment for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop technologies that have the potential to improve the passenger experience. To date, the Station Innovation Zone has supported 17 innovative firms develop their ideas, with 6 undertaking live trials.

This year’s challenges centre on three themes, which applicants are invited to respond to:

• Accessibility: tackling barriers to travel and maximising the impact of accessibility improvements
• Sustainability: making the station greener as well as supporting data-driven decision-making for better resource and energy management.
• Personal security: creating an environment that feels safe and making it easier for people to report feeling unsafe

For the first time, this year, there is also an open challenge which will welcome applications from SMEs with solutions that are truly novel to the rail environment but have the potential to contribute to a safe, seamless, social and sustainable station of the future.

Up to 8 companies will be selected to take part with each receiving an initial £4,000 to develop a proposed trial plan. Of those, up to 3 will be chosen to move forward to live trials over a six-month period at Bristol Temple Meads, with each receiving up to £45,000 to support deployment at the station. All successful applicants will receive access to station management, business development and technical trial support as well as the opportunity to showcase their technology at relevant industry events.

Prospective applicants have until midnight on Thursday 24 September 2024 to apply.

“Railway stations are more than transit points; they are vibrant hubs that connect people, communities, and opportunities. We are eager to collaborate with innovators who can transform these spaces into more accessible, sustainable, and secure environments, shaping the future of rail travel. Via technical and business support, the objective is for these trials to develop into commercially successful propositions.”

Alan Peters, Ecosystem Director for Rail and Stations, Connected Places Catapult

“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Connected Places Catapult on the Bristol Temple Meads Station Innovation Zone.

“Working closely with GWR and the wider industry, we’re providing innovators with opportunities to test and develop their exciting ideas in an operational station environment. This will provide Network Rail with new, innovative ways to further improve and enhance the experience of our passengers.

“We are committed to developing Bristol Temple Meads into a world-class transport hub for the benefit of our passengers, the city of Bristol and wider West of England region, so it’s fitting that Bristol Temple Meads continues to lead the way as the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone.”

Brian Wortman, Senior Sponsor, Network Rail

“We’re pleased to be working closely with Connected Places Catapult and Network Rail as part of the Station Innovation Zone to test and trial new ways to continuously improve passengers’ experience.

“New technologies have the potential to deliver real benefits for them, whether that is from a new app dedicated to those who are neurodiverse, or a safety innovation to reduce slips on stairs – all helping those using our services to get the very best as they pass through the station.”

Clare Gooden, GWR Assistant Station Manager at Bristol Temple Meads

“The Station Innovation Zone competition allowed us to rapidly develop and test a new technology to improve platform safety for passengers. The best part was the access to a real test environment and customer, leading to a new level of understanding that we never would have had otherwise.”

Rosie Richardson, Product and Strategy Director, Createc