Cranfield University in Bedfordshire has announced it has secured funding to build a £10 million Integrated Transport Systems Engineering Centre as part of its 25 year development plan. The facility is set to open in 2016.

The centre will provide teaching, training and research facilities to develop the UK’s capacity for innovation in both integrated transport systems and intelligent mobility technology.

The funding for the project will be provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the South East Midland Local Enterprise Partnership and Cranfield University. The centre also received backing from Milton Keynes-based company Transport Systems Catapult (TSC).

Steve Yianni, chief executive of TSC, said: “With a vested interest in emerging transport technologies and intelligent mobility solutions, we recognise the requirement for the evolution of a knowledge-enriched, appropriately qualified and skilled workforce across the sector.”

He added that the new centre could provide innovation that would boost the fortunes of the entire sector on a national level.