DfT science and research

Transport topics
- Science and research

The Science and Research Unit’s over-arching role is to support the Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) in raising the quality of DfT’s use of analysis and research, ensuring that DfT has a strategic vision for its use of evidence. We are DfT’s ‘centre of excellence’ for research project and programme management, including on relevant procurement, communications and quality assurance issues.

We do this by:

helping the DfT Board and senior managers address scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical challenges;
stimulating cross-cutting inter and intra departmental programmes and policy (e.g. Land Use planning);
stimulating cross-cutting innovation through mechanisms including the CSA forum and piloting new technologies for integrated transport modelling/planning e.g. synthetic environments;
improving understanding of how innovation can reduce future risk;
enabling the Department to make better use of data and information to deliver a step change in future services/policy choices;
driving the development of Evidence & Research Strategies to provide forward-looking and coordinated research evidence, and reviews those strategies regularly;
working with Environment Directorate and others to harness New Low Carbon and other technologies to address the impact of transport on the environment (including through the Energy Technologies Institute);
working with Transec, OGDs and other bodies to utilise ICT to reduce the likelihood and impact of terrorist incidents;
addressing the future diverse context for Transport – through Foresight and horizon scans – and assisting the development of strategic cost-benefit analysis to inform option generation;
Contributing to Government-wide assessment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and evidence challenges and opportunities, particularly through the CSA’s membership of the community of Government Chief Scientific Advisers.