Alliance agreed between University of Leeds and Transport Systems Catapult

Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) and the University of Leeds have signed a ‘Deep Academic Alliance’ agreement, supporting the development and implementation of innovative transport technologies in the UK.

Deep Academic Alliances are key partnerships between universities, industry, government and the TSC, which align transport research and education with industry strategies.

The partnership aims to maximise the potential of local SME networks and create a strong group of universities to try for funding for innovation and develop enabling capabilities with the industry. 

The new alliance between the TSC and the University of Leeds will support the TSC’s new five-year academic engagement strategy which aims to ensure that transport innovation is given greater focus in budget planning and allocation within government, through research at universities. The goal is to take knowledge and ideas from academic institutions and commercialise them through collaborations with the industry, creating jobs and growth.

Mark Westwood, Chief Technology Officer, TSC said: “Inventive and skilled thinkers from academia and industry are helping to create intelligent, integrated transport systems that work across multiple forms of transport. Bringing that expertise together, aligning goals and facilitating collaboration are key to what the TSC does – and essential for making transport better for everyone.

“This Deep Academic Alliance with University of Leeds is a key marker in achieving this goal. The University of Leeds’s expertise in intelligent mobility is world leading. Together we can turn this knowledge into real benefits for the travelling public and help ensure the UK is recognised as a world leader in transport innovation.”

It is estimated that the global market for intelligent mobility will be worth £900 billion a year by 2025, therefore the benefits to UK PLC of entering this market are very significant. Furthermore, there will be many areas where university research can support these activities, providing the necessary evidence and policy advice.

Professor Lisa Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, University of Leeds, said: “The mission of this new alliance is to maximise the economic and social benefits of intelligent mobility through the coordinated efforts of industry and academia within a UK centre of excellence. This centre will lead collaborative research and innovation with industry and Government and promote the sustainable and efficient flow of people and goods. It will support the development of solutions that minimise congestion, energy consumption and emissions and maximise economic opportunity and social wellbeing.”