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.
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Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
Gauging (x)
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Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
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Status
Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (3)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (47)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (16)
- Other - Control command and communication (36)
- Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (2)
- Signalling - Train detection systems (5)
- Signalling - Train protection systems (4)
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
-
Operations
- Customer services for freight (44)
- Customer services for passengers (99)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (60)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (45)
- Operational Safety (33)
- Other - Operations (33)
- Revenue and ticketing (9)
- Security management (39)
- Stations management and passenger flow (31)
- Traffic supervision and management (44)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (128)
- Culture (56)
- Education and competence (9)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (36)
- Health and wellbeing (89)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (55)
- Human reliability (44)
- Job design (42)
- Selection and training (48)
- Trespass (1)
- Other - People behaviour and health (20)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (43)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (8)
- Rolling stock asset management (29)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (28)
- Rolling stock fire performance (9)
- Rolling stock interiors (4)
- Rolling stock maintenance (44)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (28)
- Rolling stock testing (33)
- Train design - Components (94)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (50)
- Other - Rolling stock (37)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
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Research Project
COF-RCF-01
End Date: 2028
Underway
A PhD project using modelling to establish the relationship between the microstructure or rail steel and crack initiation. Read More
Research Project
COF-MLD-05
End Date: 2026
Underway
This study aims to understand the uncertainty in people’s perceptions of rail transit experience and investigate how these uncertainties impact… Read More
Research Project
COF-MLD-04
End Date: 2026
Underway
A framework for capturing and assessing customer feedback in the rail industry to help understand passenger experience in greater depth. Read More
Research Project
T1370
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Developments in the use of on-train satellite positioning technology based locators (T1370)
Research Project
COF-UOS-06
End Date: 2026
Underway
A PhD studentship looking at how contaminated rail conditions change with the weather, as well as how contamination develops and the linked changes to… Read More
Research Project
T1376
End Date: 2026
Underway
Helping industry prepare for FRMCS and exploit the new system capabilities. Read More
Research Project
T1341
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Framework for assessment of technologies to deliver reliable braking in low adhesion (T1341)
Research Project
T1354
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Enabling unplanned bi-directional running on a line signalled for only one direction (T1354)
Research Project
T1366
End Date: 2026
Underway
Developing and testing an algorithm for managing electrical traction power system capacity.
Read More
Research Project
T1357
End Date: 2025
Underway
Creating standardised trespass signage for the industry, along with guidance on placement and use. Read More
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Research Project
T686
End Date: 2008
Complete
This project aimed to provide an overview of selective door operation (SDO) systems, identify their functions and interfaces in relation to traincrew,… Read More
Research Project
T652
End Date: 2008
Complete
This project recorded the ways used to warn level crossing users that another train is coming (ATC), explored the effectiveness of those methods and… Read More
Research Project
T610
End Date: 2008
Complete
This project examined the costs and benefits of adopting a uniform platform height of 1,115m in a bid to improve accessibility at the platform/train… Read More
Research Project
T359
End Date: 2008
Complete
This project investigated the factors that influence the behaviour of stressed continuously welded rail and associated track instability. The results… Read More
Research Project
T358
End Date: 2008
Complete
The project provided further understanding of the causes of on-board accidents resulting from vehicle track interaction causes and assessed actions… Read More
Research Project
T371
End Date: 2008
Complete
Climate change will increase the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events which can cause disruption to train operations and can also affect… Read More
Research Project
T440
End Date: 2008
Complete
Registered
The Weighting of Non-Fatal Injuries (T440)
Research Project
T607
End Date: 2008
Complete
This project identified existing and new technologies that can monitor wheelset condition, lessen human intervention in this process, and reduce the… Read More
Research Project
T641
End Date: 2008
Complete
This project investigated whether the tolerance regime for maintaining the wheel profile could be revised to extend wheelset life and reduce… Read More
Research Project
T616
End Date: 2008
Complete
Registered
The Value of Preventing a Fatality (T616)
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Sustainable development (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Braking systems (x)
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Power supply (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Future technologies (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Adhesion (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
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Value from data (x)
Selection and training (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
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Movement of trains (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
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Rolling stock testing (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Human performance (x)
Human reliability (x)
Culture (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
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Derailment (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Track design and components (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Security management (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Gauging (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Trespass (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Other - Safety and risk (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)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Safety data collection (x)
DECARB (x)
ADHERE (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Topics
- Control Command and Communication
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-09
End Date: 2016
Complete
We need alternative forms of train power (diesel) for areas where electrification cannot be justified. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-07
End Date: 2016
Complete
We need alternative forms of train power to diesel for areas where electrification cannot be justified. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-01
End Date: 2016
Complete
Feasibility study to develop a concept design and establish the merits of a Fuel Cell Electric Multiple Unit (FCEMU). Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-03
End Date: 2016
Complete
Construction of a diesel‐electric hybrid power‐pack for efficient self-powered rail vehicles. Read More
Innovation Project
SC06-FTD-02
End Date: 2001
Complete
We need to respond to significant congestion in stations, particularly at gate-lines, which can lead to safety and crowd control issues as well as… Read More
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Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Cost (x)
Sustainability (x)
Customer (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Station design (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Future technologies (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Culture (x)
Power supply (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Human reliability (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Track design and components (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Security management (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Job design (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Braking systems (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Structures (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Value from data (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Risk models (x)
Adhesion (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Human performance (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Selection and training (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Derailment (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Gauging (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Trespass (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
ADHERE (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
DECARB (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Objectives
Topics
- Control Command and Communication
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
-
Operations
- Customer services for freight (4)
- Customer services for passengers (18)
- Movement of trains (1)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (2)
- Operational Safety (5)
- Other - Operations (7)
- Revenue and ticketing (2)
- Security management (7)
- Stations management and passenger flow (2)
- Traffic supervision and management (6)
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (6)
- Rolling stock asset management (6)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (6)
- Rolling stock fire performance (2)
- Rolling stock maintenance (9)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (6)
- Rolling stock testing (4)
- Train design - Components (10)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (6)
- Other - Rolling stock (8)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Knowledge Search
S346
End Date: 2019
Complete
Evaluation of further safeguards to prevent passengers from being caught by doors. Read More
Knowledge Search
S342
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
Research Landscape Bridge load modelling for high-speed rail and ballastless track (S342)
Knowledge Search
S343
End Date: 2019
Complete
Understanding how public transport use by People with Disabilities (PwD) - who are proportionally low users of public transport - could be improved. Read More
Knowledge Search
S338
End Date: 2019
Complete
Investigating the impact of emerging technologies, new policies and processes, on standards in different industries and how these changes could… Read More
Knowledge Search
S339
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
Training to prevent abuse of staff (S339)
Knowledge Search
S341
End Date: 2019
Complete
Identifying information that may influence passengers to self-evacuate in the event of a stranded train. Read More
Knowledge Search
S337
End Date: 2019
Complete
Understanding the Hyperloop landscape, the sustainability of its business model based, and identifying uncertainties. Read More
Knowledge Search
S333
End Date: 2019
Complete
Understanding the implications of the continued employment of older drivers, in the context of the abolition of the statutory retirement age in 2011. Read More
Knowledge Search
S316
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
Sand Alternatives to Boost Adhesion (S316)
Knowledge Search
S330
End Date: 2019
Complete
Changes in European F-Gas legislation are leading to a phase down of many commonly used hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, some of which are used… Read More