sector

Railways connect society together and enable economic growth in the regions they serve.

Accelerate innovation in the UK rail ecosystem – addressing technology and market barriers – bringing supply chain and challenge owners closer together.
A person walks along a platform next to a train in a large, modern railway station, with a curved roof featuring intricate ironwork.

Passenger experience

Inclusive innovation is a lead priority as Bristol Temple Meads becomes the UK’s first ‘Station Innovation Zone’. In partnership with Network Rail and Innovate UK we’re helping the station test new technologies designed to improve how passengers experience the station. Discover more about the journey so far.

CONNECTED INTELLIGENCE

Connected intelligence at Connected Places Catapult in rail integrates data analytics, IoT, and AI to optimise rail systems, enhancing safety, efficiency, and passenger experience through smart infrastructure and predictive maintenance solutions.

Rail Maintenance AI Tech Developed in the UK Goes Global

News / Rail Maintenance AI Tech Developed in the UK Goes Global

Technology that enables real-time infrastructure monitoring and predictive maintenance has been commercialised by Hitachi Rail following UK-led research and development.
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CLIMATE ACTION

As part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator designed to bolster the region’s innovation and R&D capability and capacity to spark commercial growth and investment. Connected Places Catapult has launched the Clean Futures Accelerator for SMEs in the West Midlands. Learn more about the challenges and our work.

The art of rail innovation

Several white trucks are lined up in front of stacked shipping containers at an industrial location during sunset.
Project

Freight Innovation Fund

The Freight Innovation Fund is a multi-faceted programme funded by the Department for Transport, focussed on accelerating the adoption of commercial ready solutions to address challenges in the UK’s freight sector.
HS2 Accelerator Programme
Project

HS2 Accelerator Programme

HS2, working with Connected Places Catapult and in partnership with the Department for Transport, delivers the HS2 Accelerator Programme. It enables innovators to work with HS2 to develop technologies that solve real infrastructure challenges and improve efficiency
Transforming manual asset verification from two weeks to 35 seconds at HS2
Case Study

Transforming manual asset verification from two weeks to 35 seconds at HS2

AI company, BuildPrompt, were partnered with the high-speed rail programme through the HS2 Accelerator to create a solution designed specifically for infrastructure delivery.