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.

813 billion

passenger kilometres travelled in Great Britain in 2024.

640,000 jobs

supported by the UK’s rail industry.

Busiest ever year

for UK aviation in 2025.

86%

of international UK freight is moved by sea.

Driving change in transport

We support the UK transport sector to test, validate and scale innovation across rail, aviation, highways, maritime and integrated transport systems.

Explore case studies on recent projects driving change in the transport industry, including:

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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

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
Digital construction firm eyes US expansion after latest investment
Article

Digital construction firm eyes US expansion after latest investment

Geospatial AI company Sensat has just announced a £3m investment raise to further develop its product and grow the business in new markets, after participating in Connected Places Catapult-led programmes.
Using wearables to protect personal safety on sites
Article

Using wearables to protect personal safety on sites

Innovators showcasing their emerging technologies at the Connected Places Summit included start-up firm SpatialCortex, from the Freight Innovation Fund accelerator programme.

Recent projects

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
Flying taxi drone going through the city
Project

Air Mobility Ecosystem Consortium (AMEC)

The Air Mobility Ecosystem Consortium (AMEC) project formed the third phase of the Government Future of Flight challenge, which ran from 2022 through to 2025.
close up view of data on mobile phone
Project

AI in Transport

The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult, recognises the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of the UK’s transport system.

Live open calls

An aerial view of a docked ship in a port
Opportunity

The Ideas Elevator – Maritime Decarbonisation

This pilot programme is for disruptive, very early-stage and exciting ideas and concepts that may alter the future landscape of clean maritime and have the potential to lead to radical change. It is open to SMEs and academics.
close up view of data on mobile phone
Opportunity

Smarter Transport Systems AI Competition

The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult, is seeking innovative AI solutions that can revolutionise transport, delivering faster, cleaner, and more affordable journeys for everyone.
Exterior view of Glasgow Airport terminal building with white taxis lined up in the designated pick-up area, showcasing Glasgow Airport's accessibility features.
Opportunity

Accessibility and assistance services trials at Glasgow Airport

Connected Places Catapult and Glasgow Airport have collaborated to create the Connected Airport Living Lab, a collaborative R&D asset used to showcase UK-developed innovations, attract investment, and act as an innovation catalyst for the aviation sector.

Have you got an innovative pilot, project or solution?

Case studies

Harnessing AI to enhance passenger experience
Case Study

Harnessing AI to enhance passenger experience

The AI in Transport Enhancing Passenger Experience competition, a collaboration between the Department for Transport (DfT) and Connected Places Catapult, aimed to find innovative ideas that embed responsible AI into a resilient transport system, in alignment with the UK government’s vision.
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Case Study

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Connected Places Catapult has collaborated with government, industry and academia on various projects to position the UK at the forefront of the Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) revolution.
Improving connectivity in rural communities
Case Study

Improving connectivity in rural communities

Connected Place Catapult delivered the Rural Transport Accelerator from November 2023 to March 2025 with nearly £2 million funding from the Department for Transport.

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

Latest news

Chief Scientific Adviser celebrates five transport innovators
News

Chief Scientific Adviser celebrates five transport innovators

Exceptional start-up firms participating in the Transport Research and Innovation Grants programme were recognised at the Connected Places Summit.
Data Action Plan sets out a connected vision for transport
News

Data Action Plan sets out a connected vision for transport

Unlocking data promises multiple benefits for the movement of people and goods, says Sam Rose of the Department for Transport, a platinum sponsor of the Connected Places Summit.
Transport AI applications selected for business case funding
News

Transport AI applications selected for business case funding

Three start-up businesses using AI to make transport systems smarter will be supported to develop their business cases.

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…