Projects in Norfolk and Suffolk get share of £1.2 million funding to boost rural transport
They'll each get £150,000
Projects in Norfolk and Suffolk are among eight receiving a share of £1.2m of government funding to improve rural transportation.
They'll each receive £150,000 from the Rural Transport Accelerator Fund, which the Government says 'supports the development of innovative concepts that will improve rural transport, in partnership with local authorities'.
The scheme aims to boost the wellbeing of communities, support rural jobs and kickstart local economies.
Winners include an AI tool to predict rural transport demand and deliver on-demand services, as well as a health mapping tool to support health providers in delivering hospital transport for patients.
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood said: “People who live in rural areas have unique needs when it comes to transport, and we’re always looking for ways to improve connections across the country.
“Through our funding, these projects will shake up the way rural transport is delivered, using the latest innovations to help residents see their friends and family, do their weekly food shop or attend hospital appointments.”
The winning projects include:
• Alchera Technologies – use of data insights to create a behavioural travel model to help local authorities with rural mobility decision making, trialled in Norfolk County Council.
• RuralStreets 360 – enables transport practitioners to identify issues and opportunities and develop solutions collaboratively with rural communities, in collaboration with Suffolk County Council.
• You.Smart.Thing – development of an AI tool to offer shared, demand responsive or community transport options for those without car access, trialled in Warwickshire.
• UrbanTide – mapping rural hospital patient journeys to identify barriers to accessing health services in rural areas and support health providers in enhancing rural transport services, trialled near Fife.
• Civil Water Management – installation of new drainage systems using recycled car tyres to aid safer cycling along flood-prone sections of cycle routes, trialled in Milton Keynes County Council.
This year’s scheme called for solutions to a number of challenges that rural areas face: the importance of rural roads for everyday journeys; driving towards a sustainable future; enabling innovation in rural mobility; advancements in agricultural transportation; and open challenge – building communities and enabling adoption of technology in rural areas.
The grant is delivered in collaboration with the Connected Places Catapult (CPC), the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport and place leadership.
Connected Places Catapult’s Chief Executive Officer, Erika Lewis said: “I am delighted to welcome eight exciting companies onto the Rural Transport Accelerator. Their innovations and technologies promise to make a real impact for people living in rural areas, and I look forward to following their progress through the programme over the coming months.”