Adhesion Research Group
The Adhesion Research Group (ARG) promotes understanding of wheel/rail adhesion, train detection and related topics, and ensures a common and system-wide approach to these. It acts as a sponsor for the ADHERE research portfolio and cooperates with the Seasonal Challenge Steering Group and Seasonal Challenge Working Group to implement research on the running railway.
"Contamination of the railhead is caused by biological, chemical and physical factors, some of which cannot be easily monitored or controlled. Low adhesion issues arise throughout the year, caused by moisture, diesel fuel or grease, for instance. We exist to enhance industry’s understanding of the science and engineering behind wheel/rail adhesion and related topics."
Scope
The Adhesion Research Group (ARG) exists to:
- Promote a wider understanding of the fundamental science and engineering behind wheel/rail adhesion and related topics, such as wheel/rail electrical continuity.
- Ensure a common and system-wide approach to these topics by rolling stock designers, rolling stock operators, rolling stock owners, infrastructure owners, infrastructure maintainers, specialist suppliers, and industry experts.
The Adhesion Research Group will:
- Act as a sponsor for the ADHERE research portfolio.
- Track the progress and delivery of endorsed live research portfolio projects and propose scope, remit, timescale or budget adjustments, as necessary.
- Cooperate with the Seasonal Challenge Steering Group and Seasonal Challenge Working Group, to ensure that opportunities for the implementation of successfully delivered research on the running railway are identified and actioned and that ideas for relevant new research stemming from the day to day experiences of rail operators are heard and actively considered.
Membership
The group's membership includes international members and is made up of the following industry categories:
- passenger train operators
- rolling stock owners and leasing companies
- infrastructure managers and owners
- suppliers and rolling stock manufacturers
- academia
- RSSB.
Chair of Committee: Neil Ovenden, Rail Partners
RSSB main representative: Dan Hamm
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Committee members
Name Company Representing Status Alan Lawton Alan Lawton Engineering Consultancy Ltd Rail Partners Member Andrew Lightoller DB ESG Suppliers Member Andy Giles Met Desk Suppliers Member Andy Nicholas Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd Suppliers Member Anna Gray Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited Rolling Stock Owners Member Anup Chalisey RSSB RSSB Member Ben Altman RSSB RSSB Industry Groups Management Brian Boucher Alstom Transport UK Ltd Manufacturers Member Brian Haddock Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Caitriona Hannon Transport For London (TFL) Passenger Train Operators Member Chris Wells Railway Braking Associates Limited Suppliers Member Clive Burrows First Rail Holdings Limited Passenger Train Operators Member Christopher Iredale Alstom Transport UK Ltd Manufacturers Member Dan Hamm RSSB RSSB Member Dave Eveleigh First Greater Western Limited Passenger TrainOperators Member David Buckley Angel Trains Ltd Rolling Stock Owners Member David Clarke Railway Industry Association (RIA) RIA Member Gilbert Rowe L D Associates Limited Suppliers Member Halley Porkess AtkinsRéalis Suppliers Member Jackie Butterfield L. B. Foster Rail Technologies (UK) Ltd Suppliers Member John Cooke Water-Trak Limited Suppliers Member John Doyle Irish Rail Passenger Train Operators Member John Tunley N/A Independent Member Julian Stow University of Huddersfield Academia Member Kishore Moores
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd
Suppliers Member Kurt Haselsteiner Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd Suppliers Member Liam Purcell Rail Accident Investigation Branch Rail Accident Investigation Branch Member Louis Schmandt The Chiltern Railway Company Ltd Passenger Train Operators Member Mark Burstow Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Manager Member Mark Molyneux Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Passenger Train Operators Member Mick Milhinch Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd Suppliers Member Neil Ovenden Rail Partners Independent Chair Nicola Steele First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Ltd Passenger Train Operators Member Paul Allen University of Huddersfield Academia Member Paul Gray RSSB RSSB Member Peter McCreery Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Peter Williams First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Ltd Passenger Train Operators Member Richard Neil Angel Trains Ltd Rolling Stock Owners Member Rob Cummings Northern Trains Limited Passenger Train Operators Member Roger Lewis The University of Sheffield Academia Member Sanjay Albert Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd Suppliers Member Simon Barnard Water-Trak Limited Suppliers Member Simon Green First Greater Western Limited Passenger Train Operators Member Tanya Ball LNT Solutions Suppliers Member Thomas Butcher
L. B. Foster Rail Technologies (UK) Ltd
Suppliers Member Toby Goodwin Transport For London (TFL) Passenger Train Operators Member Victoria Chapman Met Office Suppliers Member Yunshi Zhao AtkinsRéalis Suppliers Member
