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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Overhead line equipment (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
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Safety data analysis (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
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On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
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Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Gauging (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
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Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (2)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (45)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (14)
- 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 (41)
- Customer services for passengers (97)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (59)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (45)
- Operational Safety (30)
- Other - Operations (33)
- Revenue and ticketing (9)
- Security management (39)
- Stations management and passenger flow (31)
- Traffic supervision and management (43)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (128)
- Culture (56)
- Education and competence (8)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (36)
- Health and wellbeing (86)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (55)
- Human reliability (44)
- Job design (41)
- Selection and training (48)
- Other - People behaviour and health (20)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (41)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (6)
- Rolling stock asset management (29)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (28)
- Rolling stock fire performance (8)
- Rolling stock interiors (4)
- Rolling stock maintenance (44)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (24)
- Rolling stock testing (32)
- Train design - Components (93)
- 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
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
T1341
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Framework for assessment of technologies to deliver reliable braking in low adhesion (T1341)
Research Project
COF-MLD-03
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Exploring late adopters’ engagement with digital technology in the rail sector (COF-MLD-03)
Research Project
T1356
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Improving Power Changeover Practices (T1356)
Research Project
COF-G25-01
End Date: 2025
Underway
Testing of the enhanced trailing arm bush prototype on a dynamic test rig and building the case for an in-service trial. Read More
Research Project
T1340
End Date: 2025
Underway
An updated understanding of the cost impacts of low adhesion, to inform investment decisions for specific routes and fleets. Read More
Research Project
T1331
End Date: 2025
Underway
Investigating the background and rationale for current traction power parameters, and establishing whether changing these parameters could improve… Read More
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Risk models (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Sustainable development (x)
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Train design - Components (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
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Vehicle track dynamics (x)
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Human performance (x)
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Whole system design and modelling (x)
Adhesion (x)
Track design and components (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Culture (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Selection and training (x)
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Adaptation to climate change (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
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Structures (x)
Job design (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Security management (x)
Human reliability (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Braking systems (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Power supply (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Value from data (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Future technologies (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Education and competence (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Gauging (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
ADHERE (x)
PERFORM (x)
DECARB (x)
FREIGHT (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
RESILIENT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (2)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (39)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (12)
- Other - Control command and communication (35)
- 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 (32)
- Customer services for passengers (68)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (2)
- Movement of trains (54)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (43)
- Operational Safety (25)
- Other - Operations (26)
- Revenue and ticketing (3)
- Security management (32)
- Stations management and passenger flow (29)
- Traffic supervision and management (31)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (100)
- Culture (43)
- Education and competence (6)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (31)
- Health and wellbeing (63)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (49)
- Human reliability (32)
- Job design (32)
- Selection and training (42)
- Other - People behaviour and health (16)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (29)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (1)
- Rolling stock asset management (23)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (22)
- Rolling stock fire performance (6)
- Rolling stock interiors (4)
- Rolling stock maintenance (35)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (19)
- Rolling stock testing (25)
- Train design - Components (76)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (43)
- Other - Rolling stock (28)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Research Project
T1329
End Date: 2024
Complete
Do regulations on window box clearance - the gaps between train
windows and surrounding structures - match current risks? Read More
Research Project
T1259
End Date: 2024
Complete
Registered
Industry health and wellbeing performance management system – prototype and pilot (T1259)
Research Project
COF-ECO-15
End Date: 2024
Underway
Looking at the impact of opening new through stations on demand on exisiting lines, to improve demand forecasting. Read More
Research Project
IMP-T579
End Date: 2024
Complete
Updating the Track Circuit Assistor - Risk Advisor Tool to reflect the current GB passenger fleet and new traction types. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-74
End Date: 2024
Underway
Registered
Real-time LABRADOR (COF-UOH-74)
Research Project
T1303 / COF-ARF
End Date: 2024
Underway
Assessing aerodynamic risk from freight trains, to identify whether and how freight train speeds above 75 mph could be accommodated. Read More
Research Project
T1280
End Date: 2024
Complete
Registered
Evaluating the effectiveness of control measures for unauthorised mobile devices in the cab (T1280)
Research Project
T1300
End Date: 2024
Underway
Equipping the industry with a scientific approach to assessing and quantifying the impact of heavier axle weight vehicles on a route-level basis. Read More
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
T1324
End Date: 2024
Underway
Registered
Managing the risk associated with medical impairment in safety critical occupations (T1324)
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Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
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Overhead line equipment (x)
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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)
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Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (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
Objectives
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-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-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-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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Other - Safety and risk (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Station design (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
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Adaptation to climate change (x)
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Human reliability (x)
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Other - Operations (x)
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Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Value from data (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Braking systems (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Human performance (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Adhesion (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)
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 (4)
- 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 (5)
- 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 (5)
- 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
S352
End Date: 2020
Complete
Registered
Colour vision testing (S352)
Knowledge Search
S356
End Date: 2020
Complete
Winter weather, particularly snow and ice, can provide challenging conditions for drivers. Read More
Knowledge Search
S348
End Date: 2020
Complete
Examining the laws and practices related to providing first aid to rail passengers in the national rail sector. Read More
Knowledge Search
S309
End Date: 2020
Complete
Registered
Geotechnics and Soil Management (S309)
Knowledge Search
S351
End Date: 2020
Complete
Registered
Pregnancy in safety-critical workers (S351)
Knowledge Search
S350
End Date: 2020
Complete
Knowledge Search
S346
End Date: 2019
Complete
Evaluation of further safeguards to prevent passengers from being caught by doors. Read More
Knowledge Search
S130
End Date: 2019
Complete
Understanding how people make judgments and decisions, with a view to identifying opportunities to improve the quality of decisions. 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