The University of Nottingham has been selected as one of the winners of a new national partnership which is aiming to make transport more seamless and connected.
The Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) has awarded £1 million for activities across 14 UK universities. The TSC aims to increase collaboration between universities and businesses and provide a network of expertise to help transform ideas into products and services
A £900 billion market
The University of Nottingham, working together with the University of Leicester, has formed the Impetus Partnership, which will support the TSC’s work on ‘Intelligent Mobility’ – the optimised movement of people and goods. It is estimated that the Intelligent Mobility market globally will be worth £900 billion per year by 2025.
The University of Nottingham will launch a series of events which will enable local businesses to link with the Transport Systems Catapult in order to get involved with research being undertaken and access funding for new technologies. In addition, researchers from the University will spend time at the Catapult’s world-class “Imovation” Centre (which combines Intelligent Mobility and innovation) where they will work alongside industry experts to develop solutions to the sector's main challenges.
Speaking about the award, Professor Sarah Sharples, from the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Nottingham, said: "I am delighted that we have been successful in being awarded this partnership with the Transport Systems Catapult. The award reflects the excellent work that is already being done at the Universities of Nottingham and Leicester in the areas of intelligent mobility. In particular, it recognises our excellence in interdisciplinary work and strong links across not only the Transport Systems Catapult but also in the Connected Digital Economy and Satellite Applications catapults.
Transforming the way we travel
“We are very much looking forward to working in partnership with the Transport Systems Catapult to conduct research that will enable the development of future technologies that will transform the way that we travel in the future."
The Transport Systems Catapult is one of a new network of elite technology and innovation centres established by the Technology Strategy Board as a long-term investment in the UK’s economic capability. Applying business-led research, Catapults aim to help businesses compete in the global markets of tomorrow by transforming ideas into high value products and services.
Steve Yianni, Chief Executive of the Transport Systems Catapult, added: “Intelligent Mobility harnesses new technologies to create seamless journeys, where transport is smart and connected, and delays and congestions are a thing of the past. This programme will bring universities and businesses closer together to work on solutions to the most pressing transport challenges, and make those ideas a commercial success.”
Forging new collaborations with business
Mike Carr, Director of Business Engagement and Innovation Services at The University of Nottingham, added: “As a University, we have particular expertise in many areas of research which have applications in the transport industry. Being part of the Transport Systems Catapult initiative will enable us to forge new links and collaborations with businesses involved in this sector and will help them to bring new ideas and technologies to the market.”
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More information about this story is available from Nick King, Marketing Projects Manager, University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 82 32184, or from Shaquie Ahmed
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university in the UK among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World’s Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future