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
Meet the innovator scaling a business to make travel more accessible
Article

Meet the innovator scaling a business to make travel more accessible

Jay Shen’s start-up company Transreport provides travel assistance for disabled passengers, and has progressed from rail to aviation, secured investment, and seen significant revenue growth since engaging with Connected Places Catapult.
Meet the academic looking for industry impact on net zero
Article

Meet the academic looking for industry impact on net zero

Dawid Hanak is developing new approaches to decarbonisation as a Researcher in Residence with Connected Places Catapult

Recent projects

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Live open calls

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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?

Latest news

Maritime innovators focussed on port safety, autonomous operations, and future fuels join accelerator programme
News

Maritime innovators focussed on port safety, autonomous operations, and future fuels join accelerator programme

From greener power systems to amphibious robots, meet the companies chosen for the Transport Accelerator: Maritime.
Bristol Temple Meads railway station, a central clock tower A canopy supported by decorative ironwork extends across the station entrance.
News

Ideas to enhance safety and reduce anxiety sought for Bristol Temple Meads testbed

Search begins for up to 8 companies to receive funding and business support, with 3 progressing to live trials at Bristol Temple Meads.
A port scene shows cargo ships, trucks, and stacked containers. An airplane is flying overhead against a sunset sky, with city skyscrapers visible in the background.
News

New board to shape future of transport innovation

Twenty-four professionals have been welcomed onto the Transport Research and Innovation Grants Advisory Board.

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…