Bristol Temple Meads becomes first Transport Innovation Zone

Trials of the UK’s first Transport Innovation Zone have started at Bristol Temple Meads station. The five-year programme, involving a partnership between Network Rail and Connected Places Catapult, will work with start-ups to test new ways of improving the passenger experience. This will include smarter ticketing, to making stations more accessible with wayfinding apps, as well as using AI to improve people flow, to designing better facilities using human-centred design principles.

Connected Places Catapult and Network Rail are calling for applications from start-ups, with the first trials are due to start early next year.

Work on the Station Innovation Zone follows the Government’s levelling-up announcement of £95m for the Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration programme and the Catapult funding. Around £60m of the funding from Government will enable improvements in and around Bristol Temple Meads Station, including three new entrances to the station, as well as infrastructure works and new public spaces nearby.

The deadline for applications is 13 November, with the competition winners announced in January 2023.

In phase one the winning entries will get funding to carry out experiment design training and preparation, deployment support and evaluation.

In phase two, innovators will gain access to tailored expertise and will get the opportunity to take part in innovation showcase event.

https://tinyurl.com/35tyz529