New £10 Million National Research Hub to Decarbonise Transport Networks

The new hub is designed to help the UK deliver a resilient, net zero transport system that works for people and communities.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the launch of a new £10 million national research hub to upgrade and decarbonise the UK’s interconnected national, regional and local transport infrastructures.

The hub, known as Research Hub for Decarbonised Adaptable and Resilient Transport Infrastructures (DARe), will be led by Newcastle University in partnership with the universities of Cambridge, Glasgow and Heriot-Watt. It is being funded with £5 million from the Department for Transport and £5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and UKRI’s Building a Green Future fund.

Transport is the greatest contributor to UK domestic greenhouse gas emissions. The new hub aims to ensure that the UK’s transport infrastructure evolves to meet the challenges of climate change, and will identify pathways and solutions for delivering a resilient, net zero transport system that works for people and communities.

Researchers will also launch an open-source platform, opening the data to policymakers, local authorities and the frontline of transport systems.

Commenting on the establishment of the hub, Professor Miles Padgett, Interim Executive Chair of the EPSRC said:

‘A well-functioning low carbon transport infrastructure is vital to sustain communities and economies.

‘This investment in the climate resilient development of our transport system will keep the UK at the forefront of the green industrial revolution and accelerate the transition to a secure and prosperous green economy.’

Further information about the hub is available at the UKRI website.

(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)