Twenty-six pioneering rail projects aimed at improving passenger safety, comfort and reliability have officially launched, backed by a £5 million funding package from the Department for Transport.
Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the First of a Kind competition supports cutting-edge technologies that can be trialled on the railway and adopted by train operators, freight companies and Network Rail.
This year’s winning projects reflect the Transport Secretary’s commitment to putting passengers at the heart of every journey, with a strong focus on platform safety, incident prevention, and bridge strike reduction.
Among the standout projects:
- IntelliPan Network uses AI to detect faults on overhead lines, helping prevent dangerous dewirements and reducing delays.
- SafeRide 5G enables passengers to report incidents safely and privately via onboard Wi-Fi, improving response times and removing barriers to reporting.
These technologies will be tested over the coming months, with the aim of improving rail services and infrastructure where it’s needed most.
Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister, 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.”
The FOAK competition is part of the government’s Plan for Change, which seeks to modernise the railway, encourage more people to travel by train, and support economic growth. Previous FOAK winners, such as the Portable Track Geometry Measurement System, are already in use across the network, helping engineers lift speed restrictions and reopen lines faster.
Innovate UK’s Executive Director for Net Zero, Mike Biddle, added:
“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.”
By working closely with Network Rail and train operators, the FOAK programme ensures that promising innovations have a clear pathway to adoption, improving the passenger experience and operational efficiency.
Image credit: iStock
