The Geospatial Commission is to invest up to £2 million in around 30 projects that investigate ways to improve transport integration, capacity, safety and infrastructure.
The commission is an expert committee set up by the Cabinet Office to promote the best use of geospatial data – data about location that has the potential to unlock significant economic, social and environmental value in many fields.
Location data could help to create new transport connections, improve transport logistics and road maintenance, and support autonomous vehicles.
Funding for the competition is from the Geospatial Commission under the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and managed by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.
The best and most promising projects could go on to receive between £500,000 and £1 million to prototype their ideas in a second phase of the competition.
Projects must tackle a public sector challenge
Projects must identify a public sector lead customer or challenge owner with an interest in the solution. Areas of work could include feasibility studies into integrating transport modes, improving safety, improving supply and delivery chains, increasing capacity, and addressing infrastructure challenges.
Projects must demonstrate an application of geospatial data and/or technology. This could include:
- Earth observation and satellite-derived data
- artificial intelligence or machine learning applied to spatial datasets
- internet of things sensors capturing spatial information
- surveying, 3D laser scanning or spatial imaging
- advanced geographic information systems analysis or geovisualisation and environmental modelling
Are you a public body facing a challenge that fits in one of the four themes?
We are looking for public bodies (eg departments, agencies, and local authorities) that can support and engage with projects funded through this competition. This will require a small time commitment in phase 1 and could involve offering support or advice on testing and demonstrating solutions in phase 2.
In return, the public body would have an opportunity to interact with innovative suppliers, and to help shape and trial innovative solutions to transport challenges that they face.
Please consider registering as a lead customer or challenge owner and connect to applicants working on solutions that interest you.
Competition information
- the competition opens on 29 September 2020, and the deadline for applications is at 11am on 4 November 2020
- organisations of any size may apply
- we expect projects to be awarded contracts of up to £75,000 and to last up to 12 weeks
- an online briefing event takes place on 8 October 2020, and help is available to find public sector partners
