The UK government has earmarked £1.8 million from the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) to support groundbreaking projects aimed at revolutionizing transportation.

Among the 41 winning initiatives is the development of a futuristic self-driving parcel boat, poised to navigate waterways and alleviate road congestion while reducing emissions.

Decarbonisation, Aviation, and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, unveiled the recipients of the 2023 TRIG competition, emphasizing the diversity and geographic spread of the projects. With 83% of the winning projects located outside London and 56% beyond the wider South East region, the investment promises to foster innovation across the nation.

The TRIG initiative targets businesses and academics spearheading transformative ideas in the transport sector's nascent stages. By bolstering research efforts, TRIG aims to enhance the transport infrastructure, spur economic growth, and fortify skilled job creation across the UK.

Minister Browne remarked on the transformative potential of these initiatives, highlighting the integration of AI technology to address congestion and streamline transport operations. He underscored the pivotal role of British innovation, underpinned by government support, in driving progress, job creation, and economic prosperity.

Among this year's winning projects:

RAD Propulsion aims to revolutionize parcel deliveries by water, mitigating road congestion and emissions. Unitrove explores extending liquid hydrogen refueling technology to aircraft, offering a sustainable solution for aviation decarbonization. Duku addresses maritime electric vehicle charging challenges, enhancing inclusivity and sustainability in coastal communities. OpenSpace investigates AI tools to optimize rail station operations and passenger flow, enhancing the overall commuter experience.

The University of Strathclyde analyzes data to identify optimal sites for electric heavy goods vehicle charging infrastructure in Scotland, facilitating the industry's transition to electric vehicles. TRIG, a decade-long initiative, has allocated over £14 million to more than 400 companies, fostering innovation across various transport sectors. Projects encompass a wide array of solutions, from improving transport accessibility to revolutionizing freight logistics. Notably, many TRIG initiatives progress to the demonstration and scaling phases, underscoring the program's efficacy in nurturing innovation.

This year's TRIG focused on key challenges, including airport operations, local transport enhancements, maritime decarbonization, AI integration, digital twins, and the future of freight logistics.

The grant collaboration with the Connected Places Catapult (CPC), the UK's innovation accelerator for urban, transport, and placemaking leadership, ensures continued support for innovative transport solutions. Recipients will receive specialized business guidance from CPC to maximize their commercial potential and drive societal impact. Photo by David Woolfall, Wikimedia commons.