Open innovation

1. Submit

Submit your idea, solution or platform through the 'Tap In' form. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation via email.

2. Review

Entry is reviewed by the Open Innovation team and subject matter experts. Meetings happen at least once every month.

3. Decision

Decision to progress application is shared with applicant. Successful applicants will be invited to make a 30 minute pitch to TfL.

4. Next Steps

Successful pitches may lead to further discovery work or trialling. If your submission meets basic checks, you will be added to our Tap In database for future innovation opportunities.

Entire process from submission to decision takes up to 1 month.

TfL's core innovation focus areas for 2024/25

RoadLab 3: Sustainability across our roadworks and road network

We have issued a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) ahead of a potential funded competition to engage with the market to:

• Understand what solutions exist that could improve sustainability across TfL's road network
• Understand what technologies and processes exist in other cities, locations and industries that might be applicable to road network in London
• Gauge suppliers' interest, capabilities, and capacity to engage in a potential future trial

We're interested in learning about all solutions that could improve sustainability in roadworks, however there are two problem statements that this challenge will focus on:

1. Reducing carbon impact in roadwork maintenance activities
2. Improving drainage to deal with surface water flooding

This MSQ closed in September 2024 and we are currently reviewing responses. If interested in any future opportunities in this area, please reach out via Tap In process above. 

Platform train interface MSQ

We have issued an MSQ ahead of a potential funded competition to get feedback on potential solutions to reduce the risk of falls, accidents on the track and falls or accidents between the platform and train, as well as how we might reduce potential consequences of such incidents in the event they do occur.

The primary focus is to gauge market interest and capacity to solve this problem and to gather market feedback on risks and opportunities in relation to the manufacture and supply of solutions.

How might TfL:

1. Eliminate or reduce the risk of falls on the track and falls between the train and the platform?;
2. Eliminate or reduce of incidents caused by objects or people getting trapped in the doors?
3. Reduce the potential consequences of such incidents if they do occur?

This MSQ closed in October 2024 and we are currently reviewing responses. If interested in any future opportunities in this area, please reach out via Tap In process above. 

Rail Adhesion MSQ

We have issued an MSQ ahead of a potential funded competition to get feedback on potential solutions to obtain market feedback in relation to rolling-stock mounted solutions for improving conditions of railhead adhesion. Principally, the solution should be adept at removing railhead contaminant originating from leaf matter getting crushed on the rail to alleviate the conditions of low adhesion caused by it. The primary focus is to better understand market/supplier appetite, capacity and capability, as well as perceived risks and opportunities.

The objectives are to:

• Explore what additional solutions exist that could mitigate the impact of railhead contamination. 
• Understand what technologies and processes exist in other cities, locations and industries that might be applicable to our network in London.
• Gauge suppliers' interest, capabilities, and capacity to engage in a potential future trial.
• Identify information on possible solutions for improving railhead contamination, including railhead cleaning methods.

This MSQ closed in October 2024 and we are currently reviewing responses. If interested in any future opportunities in this area, please reach out via Tap In process above. 

Work with our digital partners 

We have partnered with Google to deliver Google Street View for some of our busiest and most complex stations. This will help customers to better pre plan routes through our station and will be especially helpful to our customers with accessibility needs and those unfamiliar with our network such as tourists.  

Industry research shows us that over 80% of customers with a mobility requirement would find in-station maps useful, and finding exits or onward travel are commonly reported challenges. 

Open Innovation at work in London 

TfL's Open Innovation team works with our 28,000 staff and globally with innovators and the marketplace to bring improvements to our network, customers and business. Here are some case studies which showcase the work we have done to support the goals of the Mayor's Transport Strategy. 

London FreightLab

Working in collaboration with the GLA, TfL partnered with key freight operators and servicing partners to trial and test a number of innovators in order to reduce the adverse impact of freight in London. A number of trials were conducted across different contributors: 

• Focus on monitoring and predictive analysis of kerbside behaviours
• Last-mile delivery modes using e-assist cargo bikes
• Real-time emissions monitoring loading bays across partner sites
• Monitoring and reducing particulate matter pollution caused by tyres
• Utilising visual analytics on HGV dashcams to identify hotspots on key delivery routes. 

Preventing injuries on escalators 

Working with innovators and escalator operators to find newer, safer ways for children to use escalators across TfL's network.

Investigating ways to improve air quality on the Tube

Although we meet legal requirements, we have been looking for ways to reduce the airborne particulate matter in the air across our London Underground network.

Ending violence against women and girls

Working with innovators and tech companies to determine how might we combine emerging innovations with existing on-bus technology to identify and act upon behaviours that make women and girls feel unsafe when using the bus.

Redesigning bus stops & shelters

We're looking at how bus stop and shelter design can be upgraded for the future especially by increasing safety, wellness, sustainability and longevity.