7. How can freight and logistics networks be developed and managed to support sustainable and efficient trade, which is resilient to geopolitical risks, whilst also addressing potential environmental and social impacts?
Background
DfT’s ARI identifies 40 broad research questions that reflect areas of strategic importance to the department, where further insight and collaboration could enhance our evidence base, challenge assumptions and strengthen future decision-making. The ARI is organised around four complementary themes, and this question sits within the Enhancing Growth and Place theme.
Transport is a critical enabler of economic growth. By connecting people, businesses and markets, it supports jobs, facilitates trade and investment, and shapes overall economic performance. Improved connectivity ensures people can access employment, education and public services, and that businesses can reach their customers and supply chains. This enables greater economic activity, supporting higher productivity and living standards over time.
Supporting economic growth, measured in terms of GDP, is a core priority for the Department and the wider Government. Transport plays a central role by influencing access to jobs, supply chain efficiency, and the ability of firms to grow and compete.
DfT’s ambition is to enhance growth by maintaining, renewing and strategically developing transport networks in ways that reflect the distinct needs, opportunities and constraints of different places. Place reflects the economic and spatial contexts in which transport operates, recognising that impacts and priorities vary across different parts of the country.
This theme recognises that economic performance, including GDP per person, varies across the UK, and that transport investment can play a significant role in supporting regeneration, reducing spatial inequalities and unlocking development. It places emphasis on the performance and resilience of existing networks, alongside targeted investment in new infrastructure, to improve connectivity and accessibility for passengers and freight.
Partnerships are central to this approach. Local authorities, mayors, devolved administrations, industry and communities all shape how transport supports local outcomes. The ARI therefore seeks research that strengthens understanding of the relationship between transport, growth and place, including what works where and why, and how wider system interactions shape outcomes.
Next steps
If you have research relevant to this topic, are planning work in this area, or would like to discuss potential collaboration, please get in touch. For our monitoring and evaluation purposes, we are also keen to hear if the ARI has informed or influenced your research.
To get in touch and report the use, please fill in the form https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/264718/dft-areas-of-research-interest-ari/
Link to DfT ARI: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dft-areas-of-research-interest/areas-of-research-interest-2026
Topics
Related UKRI funded projects
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Application of agent based modelling and complex systems to national and regional transport planning
Project ABI3L has constructed a prototype Agent-based model (using complex systems thinking) of the UK freight transport system under the TSB Intelligent Logistics call for funding. ABI3L stands for Agent-Based Intellige...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Lead research organisation: MDS TRANSMODAL LIMITED
Why might this be relevant?
The project focuses on developing complex systems models of UK freight and logistics to support sustainable trade and address environmental impacts.
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Innovative Intermodal Urban Freight Transport Solution
Urban supply chains suffer from, and are a significant contributor to, road congestion. The loss of business efficiency, increase in air pollution, damage to the road network etc. are estimated to cost the UK economy &po...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Lead research organisation: MOLE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Why might this be relevant?
The project aims to establish an innovative intermodal urban freight transport solution to reduce road congestion and environmental impacts.
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Urban logistics and plaNning: AntiCipating urban freigHt generAtion and demand including dIgitalisation of urbaN freight
UNCHAIN will “break the chains”, boosting the cooperation between public authorities and logistics stakeholders. It will create a set of services for optimal and flexible urban logistics operation, management, planning a...
Funded by: Horizon Europe Guarantee
Lead research organisation: LANCASTER UNIVERSITY
Why might this be relevant?
The project focuses on optimizing urban logistics operations and management, which partially addresses the question of sustainable and efficient trade.