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.

A person with a backpack and red suitcase walks along a train platform beside a stationary train, while another person walks in the opposite direction.

Report / Station Innovation Zone Playbook and Strategic Guide

A Playbook and Strategic Guide that supports stakeholders through the process of developing innovation at stations and how to set up and run a Station Innovation Zone.

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.

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.

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.

A teacher and students working on a project

Podcast / Inclusive innovation in the West Midlands

In this episode we explore some of the latest thinking on inclusive innovation and what it means for places – specifically one of the UK’s most diverse and vibrant city regions: the West Midlands.

The art of rail innovation

A logistics hub featuring trucks, shipping containers, a cargo ship, and an airplane in flight during sunset serves as the perfect backdrop for the TRIG 2022 event.
News

£1.8m to back cutting-edge transport innovations

Grants of up to £45k are available to businesses and academics with ideas to solve some of the transport sector’s most pressing challenges.
Article

 “Be clear on what you want” – rail entrepreneurs advised

Rail innovation specialists rubbed shoulders with contractors, consultants and clients at a ‘Stations of the Future’ event, convened by Connected Places Catapult.
Article

Meet the innovator using AI to predict the impact of transport delays

Andre Wang is helping rail operators better understand the knock-on effects of disruption, and hopes to provide useful travel information for wheelchair users and passengers with buggies using buses and trams.