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
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.
Goods delivery innovator boosts productivity for cycle couriers
Article

Goods delivery innovator boosts productivity for cycle couriers

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

Recent projects

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Live open calls

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.
The River Rhoding site showing a canal, several high rise buildings and foliage. The site is the viewing platform site.
Opportunity

Public Realm Innovation Lab – Open Call

This initiative will explore how public realm interventions can reduce pressure on the NHS by supporting social prescribing and preventative healthcare. It is shaped by the health priorities of the borough and the needs of the local community.
National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme – 2025/26
Opportunity

National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme – 2025/26

Launching its second round of funding, the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme is delivered by ncat partner Connected Places Catapult.

Have you got an innovative pilot, project or solution?

Case studies

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

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Latest news

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.
Bristol Temple Meads to test latest in station innovations
News

Bristol Temple Meads to test latest in station innovations

Systems designed to reduce passenger stress and make station surfaces less slippery will be trialled this spring.
More big names join Connected Places Summit lineup
News

More big names join Connected Places Summit lineup

The DfT’s Chief Scientific Adviser, the CEO of the National Wealth Fund and the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy are among the latest speakers confirmed for the Summit.

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…