Transport

Creating cleaner, safer, smarter and more resilient transport systems

The UK transport sector is under growing pressure to decarbonise, improve safety, increase resilience and deliver better outcomes for passengers and freight. But complexity, risk and market barriers can slow the adoption of new technologies and innovation at scale.

We help transport organisations and high-potential businesses overcome barriers to innovation by validating emerging technologies in real-world and highly regulated infrastructure environments, accelerating the deployment of proven solutions across the transport sector.

By connecting industry, innovators, investors and government, we help scale proven transport solutions that improve performance, productivity and long-term sustainability across the UK transport system.

raised in private investment by supported SMEs since 2019.

trials delivered for the Department for Transport in FY24-25 alone.

in actualised cost-savings for HS2 as a result from our accelerators.

delivered using active airports and rail stations for trialling new solutions.

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Our services

Connected Places Catapult is a proven delivery partner for transport operators, infrastructure owners, government and high-potential SMEs.

We help identify, test and scale solutions that improve transport performance, sustainability and operational resilience.

Our services for transport industry organisations and SMEs include:

Our focus areas

Photo of Sameer Savani

We have an imperative to transform the transport sector – creating systems that are more sustainable, reliable, safe and accessible to all. At Connected Places Catapult, we collaborate with the entire transport ecosystem to catalyse change.

Sameer Savani, Transport Managing Director,

Connected Places Catapult

Scaling SME growth

We work directly with high potential transport businesses in the UK to support growth and commercialisation through our projects and programmes, which aim to:

  • Help SMEs turn potential into performance
  • Reduce risk so individual businesses can scale
  • Support SMEs to compete in real markets
Quiet operation propels sales of electric motors for boats
Article

Quiet operation propels sales of electric motors for boats

Marine technology specialist RAD Propulsion – a participant of two Catapult-led programmes – recently secured £4.4 million of investment, and is looking to achieve £25 million annual revenue within the next three years.
Ocean tech developer prepares for rapid growth on land
Article

Ocean tech developer prepares for rapid growth on land

JET Connectivity developed technology and accelerated its ambitions thanks to advice and support from Connected Places Catapult. Now the Hampshire-based scale-up is looking to grow to £10 million turnover over the next 18 months.

Recent projects

A busy train station platform with people walking and automated ticket barriers in the foreground under a large arched roof
Project

Station Innovation Zone

We’re working with Network Rail and SMEs to test new technologies in live station environments. This helps SMEs grow, reduces risk for rail partners, and improves the passenger experience.
Connected Airport Living Labs
Project

Connected Airport Living Labs

The Connected Airport Living Labs is designed as a network of collaborative partnerships between Connected Places Catapult and UK airports, through which UK-based SMEs can test and demonstrate their late-stage innovative solution in a live airport environment.
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.

Live open calls

Hydrogen End-to-End Dashboard: Digital platform creation (NAVIGATE)
Opportunity

Hydrogen End-to-End Dashboard: Digital platform creation (NAVIGATE)

Connected Places Catapult is inviting proposals for the design, development, and deployment of NAVIGATE, a data-led integrated digital platform to support strategic decision-making across the UK zero-emission aviation ecosystem.
Rail Growth Support Programme
Opportunity

Rail Growth Support Programme

The Rail Growth Support Programme is a capability-building programme for mid-to-early-TRL innovators with solutions applicable to challenges in the railway sector, supporting SMEs to understand the progression route for their solutions.
Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime
Opportunity

Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime

The Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime is a six-month programme supporting SMEs developing innovative solutions for maritime decarbonisation.

Have you got an innovative pilot, project or solution?

Case studies

Stations as spaces for placemaking
Case Study

Stations as spaces for placemaking

Understanding local experiences, challenges and opportunities in operating community-focused offerings from stations
Supporting innovators to make transport operations safer
Case Study

Supporting innovators to make transport operations safer

How Connected Places Catapult helped the SME Rhevia to trial its radar and AI technology, delivering insights and improving safety on roads and in workplaces.
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.

Interested in collaborating with us to de-risk new technologies and solutions, and implement innovation at scale?

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Latest news

An aerial view of a docked ship in a port
News

Early-stage clean maritime solutions selected to receive business support

Innovative organisations have been chosen for the inaugural Ideas Elevator: Maritime.
Maritime innovators invited to float their clean tech solutions
News

Maritime innovators invited to float their clean tech solutions

Systems designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of vessels and activities around ports are sought for the Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime.
Funding available to develop airport security technologies
News

Funding available to develop airport security technologies

Innovators can apply now for a share of up to £500k to develop and test solutions that have the potential to further improve airport security.

We work closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) to drive innovation and deliver transformative projects across the UK transport sector. Our partnership enables us to support cutting-edge research, develop new technologies, and create solutions that address the most pressing challenges in transport today.

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Transport Research and Innovation Grants

The Department for Transport (DfT), in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, offers Transport Research and…