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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Rolling stock testing (x)
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Track design and components (x)
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Topics
- Control Command and Communication
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
- Safety and Risk
Programme
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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
Registered
Understanding how railhead and wheel contamination affects track circuit performance (T1222)
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
Registered
Low adhesion driving policies (T1221)
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
Registered
Developing Validated Benchmark Tests for Assessing Friction Management Products (COF-G19-01)
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
Registered
Improved Wheel Rail Adhesion (COF-UOH-63)
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Wheel-rail interface (x)
Braking systems (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
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Train design - Components (x)
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Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
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Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
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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)
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Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
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Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
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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)
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Status
Topics
- Control Command and Communication
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
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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
COF-UOS-05
End Date: 2025
Underway
A PhD studentship to improve understanding of low adhesion friction in transience, and develop an on-train prediction system. Read More
Research Project
COF-G24-02
End Date: 2024
Underway
Developing and evaluating enzyme treatments for breaking down the black layer of leaf film that causes low adhesion on the railhead. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-79
End Date: 2024
Underway
Understanding the effect of leaf type and condition, and environmental and operational factors, on the bonding strength of the black leaf film that… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-74
End Date: 2024
Underway
Registered
Real-time LABRADOR (COF-UOH-74)
Research Project
COF-UOS22-02
End Date: 2024
Complete
AI could help deliver earlier warnings of low adhesion conditions, helping staff make better, more evidence-based decisions about mitigation. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS22-03
End Date: 2024
Underway
Testing the effects of enhanced sand products to reduce the risk of wheel/rail isolation and increase flow rates to improve performance in low… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-76
End Date: 2024
Underway
Testing whether Railway Group Standard traction sand could provide improved adhesion compared to coarser ‘braking’ sand. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-72
End Date: 2023
Complete
Registered
Highly adherent leaf layers (COF-UOH-72)
Research Project
COF-ITR-03
End Date: 2023
Complete
Fundamental science reveals the mechanisms behind low adhesion and how industry can better assess low adhesion risk. Read More
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Overhead line equipment (x)
Station design (x)
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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)
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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)
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Whole system design and modelling (x)
ADHERE (x)
CLEAR (x)
DECARB (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Topics
- Energy and Electrification
- Interfaces
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
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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
Registered
Predictable and Optimised Braking: Using cryogenic technology to increase adhesion (SC04-POB-15)
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
Registered
Predictable and Optimised Braking: Linear induction motors for reliable braking (SC04-POB-12)
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
Registered
Predictable and Optimised Braking: Reconditioned brake discs to improve performance (SC04-POB-04)
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CLEAR (x)
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PERFORM (x)
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Clear date filter (x)
Status
Topics
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
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Knowledge Search
S316
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
Sand Alternatives to Boost Adhesion (S316)
Knowledge Search
S284
End Date: 2017
Complete
How well do laboratory tests of friction modifiers (lubricants and greases to reduce surface friction) reflect their performance in the field? Read More
Knowledge Search
S250
End Date: 2016
Complete
Registered
European Fact Finding on Adhesion (S250)
Knowledge Search
S235
End Date: 2015
Complete
Registered
Biochemistry of Leaves on Tracks (S235)
Knowledge Search
S189
End Date: 2014
Complete
What are the known impacts associated with the use of electromagnetic track brakes on railway infrastructure? Read More
Knowledge Search
S136
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered