DARe Hub welcomes DfT and EPSRC

As DARe fast approaches one year since its launch, this visit was an important opportunity to update our funders on progress made in shaping and defining our research programme and approach, and showcase the cutting-edge research facilities based at Newcastle University.

To start their visit, the delegation enjoyed a tour around the redeveloped Stephenson Building at Newcastle University. As well as being the base for the DARe Hub’s Newcastle Team, the Stephenson is home to the new Maker Space (a student-centred zone for creativity and entrepreneurship), digital learning spaces, and multi-purpose laboratories equipped to support multiple disciplines.  

Following the tour, the group moved on to the Urban Sciences Building (USB), located on the Newcastle Helix site, a newly developed innovation district that homes tech and science-based businesses, as well as parts of Newcastle University and the local community. The delegation discovered how Newcastle University uses data collected from EV rapid charging points located next to the USB and has plans to develop an Electrification Process Innovation Centre (EPIC).   

Next, the group visited the Urban Traffic Management Centre (UTMC), a real-time facility managed in collaboration with the Northeast councils, which monitors the city’s traffic and infrastructure and supports transport research and learning. The group also spent some time with the Urban Observatory (UO). Based next door to the UTMC in Newcastle Helix, the UO makes millions of daily observations through their urban sensors and is home to the largest set of publicly available real-time urban data in the UK, which can help experts to improve air quality, manage transport growth and traffic congestion, and prepare for climate change. DARe is already partnered and working closely with both the UTMC and UO, utilising both organisation’s quality data and wealth of expertise to strengthen our research and understanding, particularly into aspects like user behaviour and demand, and issues facing public transport modes.

During the afternoon, discussions focused on specific aspects of the DARe’s research programme and its upcoming events, including a joint event with the ENSIGN and TransiT research hubs, focused on exploring the opportunities and challenges arising from the electrification of transport modes and systems.

This visit was also an important opportunity for the DfT team to share insights on the Department’s transport priorities and areas of focus, and key aspects that relate to and inform DARe’s research.

We look forward to continuing our collaborative research with both the Department for Transport and EPSRC and working together to enable and enact real change in the transport sector.