DfT areas of research interest · first published 13 May 2019
The DfT's Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) document sets out 40 strategic research questions across four themes — economic growth and place, improving journeys, green and healthy transport, and cross-cutting system enablers — where the department wants new evidence and external expertise. This is not a procurement tender list, but it is a formal signal of where DfT will direct research funding and commission work, including through named grant programmes. Small businesses with relevant transport technology, innovation or research capabilities can use these ARIs to align their proposals and approach DfT. Two specific funding programmes are highlighted: the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme and the Freight Innovation Fund, both run in partnership with Connected Places Catapult. The document applies to DfT and its agencies; it does not bind other public-sector buyers, though the themes reflect wider government transport priorities.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
For SMEs in transport technology, digital infrastructure, sustainability, active travel, autonomous vehicles, drones, freight logistics, or data services, this document is a roadmap to DfT's commissioning appetite for 2026 and beyond. The explicit mention of TRIG and the Freight Innovation Fund gives small innovative firms a concrete route to funding without needing to compete through major framework contracts. SMEs that position their R&D narratives around the named ARI questions — especially those on AI, procurement-driven innovation (Q25), circular economy in infrastructure (Q26), and rural/remote connectivity (Q18) — will be better placed in grant applications and future tender responses.
1. Map your existing work against the 40 ARI questions and use the closest matching question numbers explicitly in any grant application, tender bid or DfT engagement — this directly signals alignment with stated departmental priorities.
SMEs with transport technology, innovation, sustainability or data products/services — The document states ARIs are intended to 'shape research proposals that align with DfT's strategic outcomes' and to 'inform funding decisions by enabling clearer links between proposed research and government priorities.'
2. Apply to the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme and/or the Freight Innovation Fund — both are explicitly open to innovative ideas and run in partnership with Connected Places Catapult.
SMEs with transport innovation concepts, especially in freight, active travel, rural connectivity or emerging tech — DfT states these programmes 'support the development and testing of innovations, helping to accelerate progress across the transport system' — they are the document's named funding routes for external innovators.
3. Build your pitch around Q25 (AI and procurement to cut infrastructure costs), Q39 (passenger counting/flow via digital tech) and Q38 (autonomous and remotely operated transport) — these questions name your technology domains directly.
SMEs in AI, data analytics, digital infrastructure or transport software — Q25 explicitly names 'procurement' and 'AI' as levers DfT wants to use to drive innovation; naming the question in proposals demonstrates direct policy fit.
4. Frame proposals around circular economy principles, modern methods of construction, and lifecycle cost reduction — the language of Q26 — to align with DfT's green infrastructure research agenda.
SMEs in construction, materials, or infrastructure maintenance (e.g. highways, structures, drainage) — Q26 asks specifically how 'circular economy principles and modern methods of construction' can 'demonstrably reduce carbon waste and lifecycle costs' in transport infrastructure.
5. Consider applying to the Freight Innovation Fund and frame your solution around Q7 (sustainable, resilient freight networks) and Q38 (AI/autonomous tech in freight), citing geopolitical resilience and environmental impact as twin benefits.
SMEs in freight, logistics, or supply-chain technology — DfT's ARI Q7 directly asks how freight networks can be 'resilient to geopolitical risks' while 'addressing potential environmental and social impacts' — and the Freight Innovation Fund is the named programme for this area.
6. If your product or service can monitor, track or verify GHG emissions across supply chains, engage DfT directly using the contact route the document provides — this is Q28, an explicitly named evidence gap.
SMEs researching or working in low-carbon fuels, EV infrastructure, or emissions monitoring — DfT states it wants to know 'how GHG emissions can be effectively monitored, tracked, and verified across low‑carbon fuel supply chains to provide confidence in emissions savings.'
7. Contact DfT directly using the 'Tell us about your work' route the document advertises — share relevant research or evidence, or explain how your work relates to the ARIs. This is a low-cost, high-visibility route to early engagement before formal tenders are issued.
All SMEs interested in DfT research commissioning — The document opens with a direct invitation: 'We are keen to hear from people who are doing research in any of DfT's areas of research interest' and provides a contact route for this purpose.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The ARIs are organised around 4 themes: enhancing growth and place; improving journeys for people; delivering green and healthy transport; and cross-cutting systems, enablers and uncertainty. (DfT research priorities, 2026)
“The ARIs are organised around 4 complementary themes that together reflect how transport delivers outcomes in practice.”
DfT specifically wants research on how procurement and AI can drive innovation that cuts infrastructure costs and makes transport more sustainable — Q25 directly names procurement as a lever. (All transport infrastructure research proposals directed at DfT)
“How can we incentivise the deployment of digital technologies, AI and procurement to drive innovation that cuts infrastructure costs and makes transport more sustainable and resilient?”
DfT wants research on circular economy principles and modern methods of construction embedded in transport infrastructure design to reduce carbon waste and lifecycle costs. (Transport infrastructure research proposals, 2026)
“How can circular economy principles and modern methods of construction be embedded into transport infrastructure design and delivery to demonstrably reduce carbon waste and lifecycle costs?”
DfT wants research on how technology can support remote, rural and island communities through transport networks. (Transport technology research proposals, 2026)
“How can transport networks use technology to better support remote, rural and island communities?”
DfT wants research on the costs, benefits and risks of emerging transport modes (e.g. drones and autonomous vehicles) and where in the UK those benefits are most likely to be realised. (Emerging transport modes research proposals, 2026)
“What are the potential benefits, costs and risks for the UK economy of emerging transport modes and where in the UK are these benefits most likely to be realised, for example, drones and autonomous vehicles?”
DfT wants research on how freight and logistics networks can be developed to support sustainable, efficient and geopolitically resilient trade while addressing environmental and social impacts. (Freight and logistics research proposals, 2026)
“How can freight and logistics networks be developed and managed to support sustainable and efficient trade, which is resilient to geopolitical risks, while also addressing potential environmental and social impacts?”
DfT wants research on how innovative funding and finance opportunities can be embedded in the transport system, and which mechanisms work best for achieving national, regional and local growth. (Transport finance and funding research proposals, 2026)
“How can innovative funding and finance opportunities be embedded effectively in the transport system, and what mechanisms work best for achieving national, regional and local growth objectives?”
DfT wants research on how GHG emissions can be monitored, tracked and verified across low-carbon fuel supply chains. (Low-carbon fuel and sustainability research proposals, 2026)
“How can greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions be effectively monitored, tracked, and verified across low‑carbon fuel supply chains to provide confidence in emissions savings?”
DfT runs the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme and the Freight Innovation Fund, in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, to fund innovative ideas and concepts in transport. (Small businesses and researchers with transport innovation proposals)
“we run the transport research and innovation grants (TRIG) programme and the freight innovation fund in partnership with Connected Places Catapult. These programmes support the development and testing of innovations, helping to accelerate progress across the transport system.”
DfT's transport data action plan (DAP) sets out a vision for data use and commits to tackling barriers to data sharing, including addressing gaps around the needs of disabled people and those with accessibility challenges. (Transport data research and product proposals)
“See the transport data action plan (DAP). This sets out our vision for data and how we want to use it to empower transport users, unlock technology and inform transport design and operational decision-making.”
DfT explicitly invites researchers and innovators to share relevant work or tell the department how they have used the ARIs, via direct contact. (All researchers and businesses with relevant transport expertise)
“We are keen to hear from people who are doing research in any of DfT's areas of research interest.”
DfT wants research on how technology — including AI and autonomous/remotely operated transport — could change transport systems and what the implications are for maximising benefits and managing risks, e.g. in manufacturing, freight and logistics. (Transport technology research proposals, 2026)
“How and when could emerging technologies (including AI, autonomous and remotely operated transport technologies) change transport systems and what implications does this have for maximising benefits and managing risks, for example, manufacturing and freight and logistics?”
DfT wants research on how digital technologies can improve passenger counting and flow management while addressing legal, privacy and public consent concerns. (Transport digital technology research proposals, 2026)
“How can emerging digital technologies improve passenger counting and flow management while addressing legal, privacy and public consent concerns?”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
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