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Research Catalogue

Welcome to the RSSB research catalogue. The catalogue contains all projects from the 20+ years of the RSSB rail research programme. Please be mindful of the publication date when accessing findings and guidance.

Search by entering a title, keyword(s) or project reference number below (e.g. "wayfinding" or T1010 or COF-INP-05) or use the filters to narrow down options.

Showing for
Applied filters: Complete (x) Underway (x) In Preparation (x) Cost (x) Customer (x) Safety (x) Capacity (x) Sustainability (x) Adhesion (x) Wheel-rail interface (x) Braking systems (x) Vehicle track dynamics (x) Rolling stock testing (x) Infrastructure asset management (x) Track design and components (x) Train design - Components (x) Rolling stock maintenance (x) Customer services for passengers (x) Safety data collection (x) Other - Operations (x) Adaptation to climate change (x) Safety decision support (x) Other - Infrastructure (x) Rolling stock passenger comfort (x) Other - Safety and risk (x) Attitudes and behaviour (x) Signalling - Train detection systems (x) Other - Energy and electrification (x) Human performance (x) Customer services for freight (x) Sustainable development (x) Rolling stock asset management (x) Risk models (x) Aerodynamics (x) Operational Safety (x) Other - Policy and decision making (x) Smart grids and energy harvesting (x) Railways Interoperability (x) Education and competence (x) Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x) Rolling stock interiors (x) Value from data (x) Derailment (x) On board power supplies and monitoring (x) Selection and training (x) Job design (x) Movement authorities and signalling systems (x) Traffic supervision and management (x) Energy collection systems (x) Future technologies (x) Keeping on-track staff safe (x) Safety data analysis (x) CCC asset management (x) Control and display systems (x) Revenue and ticketing (x) Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x) CCC system integration and life cycle management (x) Security management (x) Human reliability (x) Commercial dynamics of transport (x) Stations management and passenger flow (x) Social dynamics of transport (x) Data and communications systems (x) Gauging (x) Electrical safety (x) Culture (x) Structures (x) Signalling - Train protection systems (x) Other - People behaviour and health (x) Overhead line equipment (x) Station design (x) Accident investigation and learning (x) Human Factors in event reporting (x) Equipment workplace and environmental design (x) Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x) Power supply (x) Rolling stock fire performance (x) Other - Control command and communication (x) Movement of trains (x) Rail Standardisation (x) Health and wellbeing (x) Other - Interfaces (x) Other - Rolling stock (x) Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x) Energy metering and billing (x) Whole system design and modelling (x) ADHERE (x) CLEAR (x) DECARB (x) PERFORM (x) RESILIENT (x) FREIGHT (x) Clear date filter (x)
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Innovation Project
SC04-POB-14
End Date: 2019
Complete
Using plasma technology to clear the residue from railhead, returning the surface to a dry, clean and uncontaminated state with detriment to the rail… Read More
Research Project
T1159
End Date: 2019
Complete
This project aimed to establish and compare the extent of driving variability across drivers within the same fleet and route, in a range of adhesion… Read More
Research Project
T1156
End Date: 2019
Complete
This project explored: the information drivers need in low adhesion conditions; how the current information provided influences how trains are driven;… Read More
Research Project
COF-DART-01
End Date: 2019
Complete
This project sought to develop a data-driven and evidence based approach to quantify the performance benefits of various railhead treatments. Read More
Research Project
COF-E14-02
End Date: 2019
Complete
The aim of this research was to develop a low-cost recording device that can measure leaf fall at a high spatial and temporal resolution, to enhance… Read More
Research Project
COF-FCA-02
End Date: 2019
Complete
Demonstrating techniques for evaluating low adhesion forecasts at a range of temporal and spatial scales with a view to developing future standards. Read More
Knowledge Search
S316
End Date: 2019
Complete
Identifying sand alternatives to boost adhesion, new developments, and the case for implementing them in the rail industry. Read More
Research Project
IMP-T1107 & COF-BRP
End Date: 2019
Complete
Low adhesion braking benefits of Double Variable Rate Sanders (DVRS) have been comprehensively demonstrated in full-scale track testing and a… Read More
Research Project
T1153
End Date: 2018
Complete
Lineside vegetation can pose a risk to train operation since it can cause obstructions on the line, and impede drivers’ vision. However, managing… Read More
Research Project
COF-E14-01
End Date: 2018
Complete
Low adhesion is a particular problem during autumn, but it can occur at any time of year and when there is no visible contamination on the railhead. Read More
Showing for
Applied filters: Complete (x) Underway (x) In Preparation (x) Cost (x) Customer (x) Safety (x) Capacity (x) Sustainability (x) Adhesion (x) Wheel-rail interface (x) Braking systems (x) Vehicle track dynamics (x) Rolling stock testing (x) Infrastructure asset management (x) Train design - Components (x) Customer services for passengers (x) Safety data collection (x) Safety decision support (x) Other - Infrastructure (x) Track design and components (x) Rolling stock maintenance (x) Rolling stock passenger comfort (x) Other - Safety and risk (x) Attitudes and behaviour (x) Other - Operations (x) Signalling - Train detection systems (x) Adaptation to climate change (x) Human performance (x) Customer services for freight (x) Sustainable development (x) Rolling stock asset management (x) Risk models (x) Aerodynamics (x) Operational Safety (x) Smart grids and energy harvesting (x) Railways Interoperability (x) Education and competence (x) Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x) Rolling stock interiors (x) Value from data (x) Derailment (x) On board power supplies and monitoring (x) Selection and training (x) Job design (x) Movement authorities and signalling systems (x) Traffic supervision and management (x) Other - Energy and electrification (x) Energy collection systems (x) Future technologies (x) Keeping on-track staff safe (x) Safety data analysis (x) CCC asset management (x) Control and display systems (x) Revenue and ticketing (x) Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x) CCC system integration and life cycle management (x) Security management (x) Human reliability (x) Commercial dynamics of transport (x) Stations management and passenger flow (x) Social dynamics of transport (x) Data and communications systems (x) Gauging (x) Electrical safety (x) Culture (x) Structures (x) Signalling - Train protection systems (x) Other - People behaviour and health (x) Overhead line equipment (x) Station design (x) Accident investigation and learning (x) Human Factors in event reporting (x) Equipment workplace and environmental design (x) Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x) Power supply (x) Rolling stock fire performance (x) Other - Control command and communication (x) Movement of trains (x) Rail Standardisation (x) Health and wellbeing (x) Other - Interfaces (x) Other - Rolling stock (x) Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x) Other - Policy and decision making (x) Energy metering and billing (x) Whole system design and modelling (x) ADHERE (x) CLEAR (x) DECARB (x) PERFORM (x) RESILIENT (x) FREIGHT (x) Clear date filter (x)
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Research Project
COF-ITR-04
End Date: 2023
Underway
A PhD studentship to improve the understanding of contact mechanics and friction behaviour of rough surface interfaces with third-body layers present. Read More
Research Project
T1222
End Date: 2023
Complete
Developing a greater understanding of the impact of railhead and wheel contamination on track circuit reliability, and how it affects risk and… Read More
Research Project
COF-G24-01
End Date: 2023
Complete
New insights into the molecular nature of leaf components responsible for low adhesion to tackle the autumn performance challenge. Read More
Research Project
T1210
End Date: 2022
Complete
Developing guidance on multiple unit sander maintenance processes and vehicle integration principles. Read More
Research Project
T1221
End Date: 2022
Complete
Evidence-based guidance on low-adhesion driving policies, to enable a more consistent and effective approach to traction and braking under… Read More
Research Project
COF-ITR-02
End Date: 2022
Complete
This PhD project provided a detailed understanding of how particles are entrained into the wheel/rail interface and the effect of particles on… Read More
Research Project
COF-G19-01
End Date: 2021
Complete
This grant project has developed test specifications for assessing the performance of Top of Rail Friction Management products and traction gels that… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS-03
End Date: 2021
Complete
A feasibility study to analyse the effects of enhanced sand products on track circuit operation, part of the RSSB and University of Sheffield… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS-02
End Date: 2021
Complete
A proof-of-concept of a local adhesion estimation tool using machine learning techniques, providing higher accuracy and more granularity than other… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-63
End Date: 2020
Complete
Accurately estimating the adhesion at each wheelset to get a better understanding of the impact of cleaning (conditioning) after each wheel passage… Read More
Showing for
Applied filters: Complete (x) Underway (x) In Preparation (x) Safety (x) Cost (x) Capacity (x) Sustainability (x) Customer (x) Braking systems (x) Adhesion (x) Wheel-rail interface (x) Other - Energy and electrification (x) Train design - Components (x) Smart grids and energy harvesting (x) Railways Interoperability (x) Education and competence (x) Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x) Rolling stock interiors (x) Value from data (x) Vehicle track dynamics (x) Derailment (x) Other - Operations (x) Signalling - Train detection systems (x) On board power supplies and monitoring (x) Adaptation to climate change (x) Selection and training (x) Job design (x) Movement authorities and signalling systems (x) Safety decision support (x) Rolling stock testing (x) Other - Infrastructure (x) Traffic supervision and management (x) Energy collection systems (x) Human performance (x) Future technologies (x) Keeping on-track staff safe (x) Safety data analysis (x) Track design and components (x) CCC asset management (x) Control and display systems (x) Revenue and ticketing (x) Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x) Rolling stock maintenance (x) CCC system integration and life cycle management (x) Customer services for freight (x) Sustainable development (x) Security management (x) Human reliability (x) Commercial dynamics of transport (x) Stations management and passenger flow (x) Social dynamics of transport (x) Data and communications systems (x) Gauging (x) Electrical safety (x) Rolling stock asset management (x) Culture (x) Rolling stock passenger comfort (x) Risk models (x) Customer services for passengers (x) Aerodynamics (x) Structures (x) Signalling - Train protection systems (x) Other - People behaviour and health (x) Other - Safety and risk (x) Overhead line equipment (x) Station design (x) Accident investigation and learning (x) Human Factors in event reporting (x) Equipment workplace and environmental design (x) Operational Safety (x) Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x) Power supply (x) Rolling stock fire performance (x) Other - Control command and communication (x) Movement of trains (x) Rail Standardisation (x) Health and wellbeing (x) Other - Interfaces (x) Infrastructure asset management (x) Attitudes and behaviour (x) Other - Rolling stock (x) Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x) Other - Policy and decision making (x) Energy metering and billing (x) Safety data collection (x) Whole system design and modelling (x) ADHERE (x) CLEAR (x) DECARB (x) PERFORM (x) RESILIENT (x) FREIGHT (x) Clear date filter (x)
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Results per page:

Innovation Project
SC04-POB-13
End Date: 2020
Complete
The project will create an advanced braking control system which optimises the braking performance of the existing friction and dynamic braking. It… Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POB-15
End Date: 2019
Complete
Cryogenic (dry ice) cleaning effectively removes oxide and leaf contamination from rail. This novel technology fires cryogenic pellets at the… Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POB-16
End Date: 2019
Complete
A robust, simple and low-cost solution to deliver improvements in adhesion by delivering a small amount of water to the rails in front of the train in… Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POB-12
End Date: 2019
Complete
This braking solution uses known technology in a novel way to improve train braking performance, even in low-adhesion conditions. The 'Zero Wheel Slip… Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POB-14
End Date: 2019
Complete
Using plasma technology to clear the residue from railhead, returning the surface to a dry, clean and uncontaminated state with detriment to the rail… Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POB-04
End Date: 2016
Complete
Consistent Rail Head Conditioning System through the use of an intelligent rail head conditioning unit. In times of slip the conditioning unit will… Read More