DfT/Innovate UK launch rail tech competition

The Department for Transport is providing up to £9.4 million to Innovate UK, to help fund a competition seeking projects which demonstrate how proven technologies could be used on the railways.

Projects entering the First of a Kind 2020 competition must seek to demonstrate the technology as a “compelling business idea” in rail environments. They are expected to focus on one or more of environmental sustainability, customer experience, rail operations or maintenance.

Teams should include the owner of stations, rolling stock or infrastructure, an experienced railway organisation, and an organisation that could become a customer.

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said: “For two centuries the UK has been at the cutting edge of rail technology. FOAK 2020 is part of the research and innovation melting pot that will keep us there as we enter another decade.

“To build the railway of tomorrow we have to support the inventors and innovators of today. This competition is designed to find the next Isambard Kingdom Brunel and help them create the technology that defines our railway in the future.”

Railway Industry Association Technical Director David Clarke added: “It’s great news that £9.4m is available for new projects that would make our railways even more green, reduce costs, improve customer experience and increase accessibility.

“There are a number of opportunities where the UK rail industry could develop worldleading capabilities - such as in the areas of materials, data, automation and energy - which could not only improve our own rail system, but also could help the UK export even more. I would urge all companies, whether you have experience in the rail industry or not, to get involved in the First of a Kind competition and help develop innovations to improve our railways.”