Rail and Transportation Systems

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

The UK rail and transportation sector is a vital part of the economy, moving millions of passengers and tonnes of freight across the country every year. From railway infrastructure and rolling stock to signalling, safety, and passenger experience innovations, the industry is under constant pressure to deliver safer, faster, and more sustainable transport solutions.

However, developing these systems is complex. Whether you’re engineering next-generation rail vehicles, improving signalling systems, or integrating digital ticketing and passenger information platforms, your work may involve overcoming technical uncertainties — making it eligible for R&D tax relief.

R&D tax relief supports UK businesses that seek scientific or technological advancements by solving problems where no standard solution exists. In the rail and transportation sector, this might include improving infrastructure performance, integrating emerging technologies, or meeting stricter safety and environmental standards.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in rail and transportation system development:

Developing Low-Carbon or Electrified Transport Solutions

Engineering new electric, hybrid, or hydrogen-powered trains, buses, or freight vehicles, particularly when overcoming performance, range, or refuelling challenges.

Improving Rolling Stock Design and Performance

Developing lighter, more energy-efficient rail vehicles or improving braking, suspension, or noise reduction systems to enhance passenger comfort and reduce wear on infrastructure.

Advancing Digital Signalling and Control Systems

Creating or refining real-time signalling, traffic management, or control centre technologies that improve network capacity, safety, and reliability.

Solving Track, Infrastructure, or Maintenance Challenges

Engineering new materials, monitoring systems, or automated maintenance solutions to extend the lifespan of tracks, overhead lines, or station infrastructure.

Integrating Smart Ticketing and Passenger Information Systems

Developing systems that provide seamless travel experiences, such as digital ticketing platforms, live journey updates, or real-time occupancy information.

Enhancing Accessibility and Passenger Safety

Designing systems or vehicles that improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, or developing new safety features to meet UK or international transport regulations.

Improving Freight Handling and Logistics Efficiency

Engineering systems to streamline the movement of goods across rail, road, or intermodal networks, including real-time tracking or automated loading technologies.

Meeting UK Rail and Transport Regulatory Standards

Developing solutions that meet UK-specific safety, environmental, or performance standards, such as those set by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) or the Department for Transport (DfT).

If your business is developing or improving transport solutions and overcoming technical challenges in the process, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK rail and transportation innovators recover part of their development costs, supporting the delivery of safer, greener, and more efficient mobility solutions.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.