The Geospatial Commission is to invest up to £2 million in around 30 projects that investigate ways to improve transport integration, capacity, safety and infrastructure.

The commission is an expert committee set up by the Cabinet Office to promote the best use of geospatial data. In June, it laid out plans to develop a national location data framework to support future technologies by 2025, which form part of the recently published UK Geospatial Strategy.

A statement explained that location data could help to create new transport connections, improve logistics and road maintenance, or support autonomous vehicles.

Funding for the competition is from the Geospatial Commission under the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and managed by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.

The most promising projects could go on to receive between £500,000 and £1 million to prototype their ideas in a second phase of the competition.

Projects must identify a public sector lead customer or challenge owner with an interest in the solution. Areas of work could include feasibility studies into integrating transport modes, improving safety, improving supply and delivery chains, increasing capacity, or addressing infrastructure challenges.

Projects must demonstrate an application of geospatial data and/or technology, including: earth observation and satellite-derived data; artificial intelligence or machine learning applied to spatial datasets; Internet of Things sensors capturing spatial information; surveying, 3D laser scanning or spatial imaging; advanced geographic information systems analysis or geovisualisation and environmental modelling.

The commission is looking for public bodies - departments, agencies, and local authorities - that can support and engage with projects funded through this competition. This will require a small time commitment in phase one and could involve offering support or advice on testing and demonstrating solutions in phase two.

In return, the public body would have an opportunity to interact with innovative suppliers, and to help shape and trial innovative solutions to transport challenges that they face.

The competition opened this week, with a deadline for applications on 4 November. Organisations of any size may apply, with projects to be awarded contracts of up to £75,000 and to last up to 12 weeks.

An online briefing event is due to take place on 8 October, with help offered to find public sector partners.

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