Faced with increasing pressure to do more with less, all kinds of organisations are looking at ways to work smarter and local government is no exception.
£5 million for innovative rail projects
26 projects aimed at improving passenger experience on the railway have been launched, supported by £5 million of government funding.
The competition is being run in partnership with Innovate UK, working closely with Network Rail and train operators. It 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.
This year's winning projects focus on improving safety at the platforms, passenger safety and reducing incidents of vehicles hitting railway bridges.
IntelliPan Network will reduce delays for passengers by using AI to detect faults on overhead lines and SafeRide 5G, will empower passengers to report incidents using their own devices safely and privately via onboard wifi, boosting response times and removing key barriers to reporting, improving passenger safety.
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, 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."
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."
Latest News
21/10/2025 - 10:10
The technology secretary had announced a new blueprint for AI regulation in a bid to improve public services.
21/10/2025 - 09:49
The government has announced a tech boost of £20 million each for Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region.
20/10/2025 - 10:58
Welsh government funding for fuel vouchers is helping to keep families warm across the country.
20/10/2025 - 10:42
In the last six months, more than 131,000 potholes across 266 miles of road in Wales have been fixed or prevented.
17/10/2025 - 12:38
The government has announced an £80 million package for support to help get people back into work.
Event Diary
Join us for the landmark 10th Anniversary of the London Build Expo, the UK’s largest and most influential construction and design show.
Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo returns to Excel London across 12-13 November, once again bringing together the world of logistics, supply chain, eCommerce and retail innovation for two dynamic days of opportunity.
Every sport, from grassroots football to world-class tournaments, depends on one constant: high-quality playing surfaces and well-maintained green spaces.
Supplier Profiles
Bauder marked a major milestone in its UK expansion with the official handover of a brand
At Words of World, we specialise in professional translation and interpreting, d
Latest Features
The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) have successfully completed a groundbreaking project aimed at exploring the future of cleaning. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the cleaning industry, reflecting a shared commitment to embracing innovation with confidence.
The Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) new framework on Language Services (RM6302), dealing with translation, transcription and interpreting, is live, running from 7th May 2025 to 6th May 2028.
