Prasana Uthayakumar, City of London

Meet Prasana Uthayakumar – Nominated by Transport for London

From South East London to driving innovation at Transport for London

Based in South East London, Prasana has worked at Transport for London (TfL) as an Innovation & Advisory Manager since 2020.

His role focuses on identifying key challenges within TfL where market solutions can make the network better, faster and more cost-effective for Londoners. He maintains a broad understanding of the technology landscape to identify where advances in innovation can help address some of TfL’s most pressing issues.

Prasana has run several proof of concepts (PoCs) and trials across different parts of the network, including buses, the London underground and roads, using London as a testbed to prove these solutions work. This involves managing complex internal relationships while establishing strong partnerships across the industry.

Using innovation to address transport challenges

Throughout his career at TfL, Prasana has worked across a diverse portfolio of projects, ranging from innovations aimed at reducing the adverse impacts of freight to initiatives mitigating driver fatigue across the bus network and most recently, exploring how to better understand air quality on the underground.

The air quality initiative is one project he is particularly proud of. It was a pioneering sensing trial for TfL, involving direct collaboration with RATP in Paris and Imperial College London to develop low-cost, subsurface-adapted sensors with suppliers.

The insights gained from the trial are now being fed directly into TfL’s air quality strategy, helping to shape targeted interventions aimed at creating a healthier and cleaner environment for Londoners using the transport network.

Working towards a more climate-resilient London

For Prasana, one of the major mobility challenges facing London is the dual necessity of adapting to the immediate impacts of the climate crisis while accelerating the shift towards sustainable transport.

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, leading to safety incidents and widespread disruption across TfL’s network. Addressing these challenges means working towards the goals outlined in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which targets having 8 in 10 journeys in London made on foot, by cycle or public transport by 2041.

Why the Emerging Leaders program?

Prasana chose to participate in this cohort of the EIT Urban Mobility Emerging Leaders program specifically because of its pan-European focus. He wants to build a stronger network with peers from other European cities, share insights and hear about how they can work together to solve similar urban mobility problems.

Sharpening leadership skills to drive innovation

Prasana hopes to sharpen his leadership skills and take the next step in his career. He wants to build on his years of experience delivering innovation at TfL so he can strategically lead teams and drive bolder, more effective decision-making.

The program aligns with his ambition of becoming a trusted, go-to voice for innovation across the business. He wants to combine his hands-on know-how with the credibility to confidently guide, inform and influence strategy at a senior level.