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Future of Transport programme

Information on the Future of Transport programme, which aims to shape transport innovation and make the UK a world leader in transport movement.

From:
Department for Transport, Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Published
24 November 2020
Last updated
2 October 2023 — See all updates

About the Future of Transport programme

The main aims of Future of Transport programme are to:

  • stimulate innovation in the transport sector
  • create new transport markets
  • secure a 21st-century transport system
  • secure the UK’s position as a world-leading innovator, decarbonising the transport system for the benefit of all society

Technology will drive radical changes in transport in the next 10 years, with profound implications for transport users and businesses. Electrification, connectivity, automation, and real-time data collection and analysis are driving the development of new modes of travel and new ways to do business.

Some of these changes – such as transport apps, electric vehicles, drones and early vehicle automation – are already here; the rest are likely to ramp up dramatically between now and 2030.

By improving how we do business and how we travel, this brings opportunities to:

  • advance decarbonisation
  • improve air quality
  • tackle congestion
  • improve our communities and make them better places to live

The Future of Transport programme is part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

Organisations involved

The Future of Transport programme is being delivered jointly by the:

Contact us

Email: futureoftransport@dft.gov.uk

Address:

Future of Transport programme
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR

Future of mobility: urban strategy

This strategy:

  • outlines the principles that guide our approach to emerging mobility technologies and services in cities
  • helps cities, government and innovators to harness the various emerging mobility opportunities

Future of Transport regulatory review

This regulatory review forms a big part of our work, alongside a broad and ambitious programme focused on supporting industry and local leaders. The review:

  • considers how transport regulations need to change to be fit for the future
  • seeks to address outdated regulation, which acts as a barrier to innovation

We conducted this review in consultation with industry and the public between March and July 2020, and our response to this call for evidence was published in November 2020.

Future of Transport: supporting rural transport innovation

In the Future of Mobility: urban strategy, the government committed to also exploring the impact of and opportunities for innovation in rural areas.

The Future of Transport: supporting rural transport innovation outlines how future transport solutions and interventions can:

  • tackle rural mobility issues
  • improve connectivity and accessibility
  • increase low and zero-carbon travel options
  • deliver more integrated transport services

Experimentation and trialling

Trialling provides a safe environment in which to test new transport technologies and find ways to manage potential risks. Trials:

  • act as a testbed for research to help establish emerging industries
  • improve speed to market of new products and services that could deliver significant benefits
  • improve UK competitiveness in development of new products
  • improve the speed and agility of regulatory and legislative development
  • assess the safety benefits of new transport modes

We are currently conducting trials of rental e-scooters in our funded Future Transport Zones.

Research and analysis

Research and analysis improve our understanding of the future of transport.

Future of Transport: international strategy

The international element of the Future of Transport programme aims to increase the UK’s global effect, collaborating with other countries to create innovative and sustainable transport solutions.

Updates to this page

Published 24 November 2020
Last updated 2 October 2023 + show all updates

  1. Added Future of Transport: supporting rural transport innovation.

  2. Added Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: memorandum of understanding between DfT and the city of Los Angeles.

  3. Future of transport: deliberative research added to page.

  4. First published.

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