- First of a Kind competition winners will deliver innovative
projects aimed at increasing safety, reducing bridge strikes and
incorporating AI technology
- Previous winners' projects are already being used across the
railways, improving efficiency, safety and reliability
- £5m Government funding demonstrates commitment to boosting
passenger experience, encouraging more people to choose rail
and driving economic growth
Twenty-six cutting-edge projects aimed at improving passenger
experience on the railway have launched, supported by a
multimillion funding package by the Department for Transport.
In partnership with Innovate UK, working closely with Network
Rail and train operators, the First of a Kind competition offers
grant funding for innovative projects to be tested on the
railway, to give them a better chance at being bought by train
operators, freight companies and Network Rail.
Given the Transport Secretary's clear direction to put passengers
at the heart of every journey, this year's winning projects focus
on improving safety at the platforms, passenger safety and
reducing incidents of vehicles hitting railway bridges. Through
working closely with Network Rail and train operators, these
innovations will help to improve rail services and infrastructure
where it's needed most.
Among the winning projects is IntelliPan Network, which will
reduce delays for passengers by using AI to detect faults on
overhead lines, eliminating dangerous, service-disrupting
dewirements.
Another successful project, SafeRide 5G, will empower passengers
to report incidents using their own devices safely and privately
via onboard Wi-Fi, boosting response times and removing key
barriers to reporting, improving passenger safety.
Twenty-six successful projects will be supported with £5 million
in funding from the Department of Transport, demonstrating the
Government's commitment to trialling innovative technology to
modernise our railway and boost the passenger experience. These
projects will help to deliver better services for passengers,
encouraging more people to take the train and supporting growth
as part of the Government's Plan for Change.
Rail Minister Lord said:
"The winners of this competition are taking cutting-edge
technology to address some of the biggest challenges facing the
rail industry, making a railway that works better for the people
and goods using it.
“These innovations are putting safety, reliability and passenger
experience first, like IntelliPan Network using AI to detect
faults on overhead lines, reducing disruption caused by dangerous
dewirements.
“Through this funding, we are building a platform on which
innovation can thrive, giving new technologies a chance to
succeed and driving economic growth as part of the Plan for
Change.”
Previous competition winners are already being used widely across
the railways, like the Portable Track Geometry Measurement
System, which provides immediate track information to engineers
to speed up the lifting of speed restrictions or line closures,
getting passengers to their destinations quicker.
Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero at Innovate
UK, said:
“The innovations receiving support through this competition will
contribute to a more accessible, safer, and efficient railway
system throughout the UK. The competition highlights the
importance of collaboration with industry partners and focuses on
delivering high-maturity demonstrations, ensuring seamless
integration into the existing railway infrastructure.
“Delivered by Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency, on behalf
of the Department for Transport, the FOAK rail programme seeks to
identify and support outstanding, innovative solutions. Funded
organisations will showcase the creativity and impact of their
ideas through live demonstrations.”
The twenty-six successful projects have today started work on the
new technologies, with testing to take place over the coming
months. A full list of winners can be found here.
