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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- Control Command and Communication
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- Interfaces
- Operations
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
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- Safety and Risk
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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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Wheel-rail interface (x)
Braking systems (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
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Train design - Components (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
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Other - Infrastructure (x)
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Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
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Other - Operations (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
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Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
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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)
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Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
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Culture (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
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Human Factors in event reporting (x)
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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)
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)
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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
T1149
End Date: 2020
Complete
This project aimed to predict the effect of leaves on adhesion in the wheel/rail contact, updating the existing Water-Induced Low Adhesion Creep force… Read More
Research Project
COF-LAD and T1181
End Date: 2020
Complete
This research evaluated the effectiveness of railhead treatments in greater granularity and over a longer timeframe than previous projects. It also… Read More
Research Project
COF-AUT-02
End Date: 2020
Complete
This research sought to extend the functionality of a real time environmental monitoring system, which was developed as part of a previous project, to… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-LAB
End Date: 2020
Complete
Registered
Low Adhesion Braking Model (LABRADOR)
Research Project
COF-FCA-03
End Date: 2020
Complete
What improvements could be made in adhesion forecasting if data already collected by the industry were used to build a rich picture of the adhesion… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-46
End Date: 2019
Complete
This project explored how data from a comprehensive three-month programme of track testing double and variable rate sanding could be used to support… Read More
Research Project
T1159
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
ADHERE: Evaluating variability in train driving under different adhesion conditions (T1159)
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
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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)
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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)
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Status
Topics
- Energy and Electrification
- Interfaces
- Rolling stock
Programme
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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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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