On 10th July 2025, TRL and the Department for Transport will host a major in-person event in London highlighting pioneering UK transport research and projects, focusing on AI adoption, safety, inclusion, and infrastructure resilience.
The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), in collaboration with the Department for Transport (DfT), is set to host an exclusive in-person Transport Innovation Showcase in London on Thursday, 10th July 2025. This event will spotlight cutting-edge research and transformative projects that are shaping the future of UK transport. It promises an engaging exchange of ideas by bringing together leading figures from government, academia, and the transport industry to confront some of the sector’s most urgent challenges and highlight pioneering solutions.
The showcase will offer attendees firsthand insights into a range of vital projects led by both TRL and DfT teams. Among these are initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers to artificial intelligence adoption in transport, promoting equality in the driving test system, updates on pavement and pothole resilience, and perspectives on the Well Managed Highways Code of Practice. Additionally, the event will feature an in-depth exploration of the Cross Modal Safety Project, which embraces the Safe Systems approach to road safety. The event concludes with an informal networking lunch, providing delegates with valuable opportunities to connect with peers, policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals in a collaborative environment.
This event is part of a broader commitment to innovation and collaboration within the UK transport sector. Earlier, in April 2024, TRL and the Department for Transport announced a groundbreaking grant framework agreement focused on propelling scientific research and innovation. This agreement emphasises supporting DfT’s diverse workforce, encouraging sector-wide partnerships, and integrating scientific evidence into policymaking. Key focus areas include setting standards and regulations, emerging road technologies, innovation adoption, and enhancing transport safety. TRL’s CEO, Paul Campion, remarked that this partnership harnesses combined expertise and resources to drive the future of transport.
The Transport Innovation Showcase complements other significant events in the UK transport innovation calendar. For instance, the Transport Innovation Expo, organised by Connected Places Catapult and the DfT, celebrates collaborative efforts to accelerate research and innovation. It also highlights the Transport Research and Innovation Grant programme, facilitating vital connections between innovators and potential customers such as HS2, Transport for London, and Network Rail. Similarly, the Innovation and Learning Festival 2025, organised by the Local Council Roads Innovation Group, focuses on technology and intelligent transport systems while recognising apprentices and emerging talent in the sector.
Complementarily, the Transport AI UK 2025 event addresses the growing role of artificial intelligence in transport, offering insights into AI-powered tools and ethical considerations necessary for its safe and effective adoption. This focus on AI aligns with TRL’s showcased projects aimed at overcoming barriers to AI integration in transport systems.
Collectively, these events underline a concerted effort across different transport modes and specialisations, including rail innovation demonstrated at the Rail Innovation Exhibition 2025. These assemblies not only showcase advancements but also provide crucial networking platforms where stakeholders can drive forward collaborative and transformative transport solutions.
The TRL and DfT Transport Innovation Showcase at London’s County Hall venue from 9:30am to 12:30pm is an unmissable opportunity for those involved in the future of UK transport to engage with groundbreaking research and build meaningful connections. Its emphasis on innovation, safety, inclusion, and technology reflects the sector’s evolving priorities as it prepares to meet both current and future challenges.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://highways-news.com/trl-and-department-for-transport-to-host-transport-innovation-showcase-in-london/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.trl.co.uk/news/trl-and-dft-forge-groundbreaking-grant-framework-agreement-to-promote-innovation – In April 2024, TRL and the Department for Transport (DfT) announced a new grant framework agreement aimed at advancing scientific research and innovation in the UK transport sector. The agreement focuses on three key objectives: supporting DfT’s diverse workforce, promoting sector-wide collaboration, and integrating science into policymaking. Specific areas of focus include standards and regulations, emerging road technologies, innovation adoption, and safety. TRL’s CEO, Paul Campion, highlighted the partnership’s potential to drive the future of transport through their combined expertise and resources.
- https://cp.catapult.org.uk/event/transport-innovation-expo/ – The Transport Innovation Expo, organised by Connected Places Catapult and the Department for Transport, showcases the impact of collaboration on accelerating research and innovation in the transport sector. The event celebrates the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) programme and features insights from various stakeholders about their challenges and opportunities. Attendees can network with potential customers such as HS2, TfL, and Network Rail, and learn about upcoming innovation and procurement opportunities. The expo aims to bridge the gap between innovation and procurement, facilitating conversations around transport innovation’s role in delivering strategic priorities.
- https://lcrig.glueup.com/event/innovation-and-learning-festival-2025-123370/why-attend.html – The Innovation and Learning Festival 2025, organised by the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), focuses on technology and intelligent transport systems (ITS). Building on collaborations with the Department for Transport and the Transport Technology Forum, the festival showcases future technologies. Attendees can expect to meet professionals such as Signals Managers, Traffic Managers, and ITS Engineers. A key highlight is the DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards, honouring apprentices and emerging talent across the sector. The event offers networking sessions, live demonstrations, and workshops on transport technology.
- https://10times.com/e1dr-233k-0xph-k – The Transforming Transport Conference 2025, scheduled for July 8, 2025, at the Institution of Structural Engineers in London, focuses on the future of transport and infrastructure. The conference aims to address challenges and opportunities in the transport sector, with a particular emphasis on innovation and transformation. Attendees can expect discussions on various topics related to logistics, transportation, rail, and bus services. The event provides a platform for professionals to engage with industry leaders and explore advancements in transport technology and infrastructure.
- https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/events/rail-innovation-exhibition-2025/ – The Rail Innovation Exhibition 2025, held on February 13, 2025, at the QEII Conference Centre in London, was delivered in partnership with the Department for Transport. The event brought together over 500 delegates from industry, government, research, and trade associations, including Network Rail. It showcased the latest advancements in rail innovation, focusing on reducing emissions, enhancing efficiency, improving customer experience, and making the railway more accessible and inclusive. The exhibition provided extensive networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with key innovators across the rail supply chain.
- https://www.transportai.uk/exhibition-2025 – Transport AI UK 2025 is a dedicated conference and exhibition designed to bring together national and local government change-makers with counterparts working in artificial intelligence innovations in transport and mobility. The event provides a platform for attendees to gain insights into AI-powered products, services, and tools that can deliver immediate benefits to local authorities and consultants. It covers the AI development curve, including time-saving, cost-saving, and automating routine tasks, and discusses the resourcing, procurement, human, and ethical factors underpinning AI development in the transport sector.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 23 June 2025, and pertains to an upcoming event on 10 July 2025. No earlier versions or recycled content were found. The event is a new initiative, not based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes are present in the narrative, indicating original content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Highways News, a reputable source in the transport sector. However, it is a single-outlet narrative, which introduces some uncertainty.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The event details align with known initiatives by TRL and the Department for Transport. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, or dates, which slightly reduces its credibility. The tone and language are consistent with official communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and original, with no evidence of recycled content. While sourced from a single outlet, the information aligns with known initiatives by TRL and the Department for Transport. The lack of direct quotes and specific factual anchors slightly reduces the overall credibility, but the overall assessment is positive.
