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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.

Showing for
Applied filters: Complete (x) Underway (x) In Preparation (x) Safety (x) Capacity (x) Cost (x) Sustainability (x) Other - Safety and risk (x) Attitudes and behaviour (x) Wheel-rail interface (x) Risk models (x) Sustainable development (x) Customer services for passengers (x) Train design - Components (x) Infrastructure asset management (x) Health and wellbeing (x) Commercial dynamics of transport (x) Other - Policy and decision making (x) Vehicle track dynamics (x) Station design (x) Movement of trains (x) Adaptation to climate change (x) Human performance (x) Culture (x) Track design and components (x) Adhesion (x) Whole system design and modelling (x) Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x) Selection and training (x) Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x) Human reliability (x) Data and communications systems (x) Rolling stock maintenance (x) Traffic supervision and management (x) Braking systems (x) Other - Energy and electrification (x) Power supply (x) Job design (x) Customer services for freight (x) Security management (x) Structures (x) Railways Interoperability (x) Other - Rolling stock (x) Other - Control command and communication (x) Other - Infrastructure (x) Equipment workplace and environmental design (x) Future technologies (x) Other - Operations (x) Rolling stock testing (x) Stations management and passenger flow (x) Social dynamics of transport (x) Value from data (x) Rolling stock asset management (x) Operational Safety (x) Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x) Energy collection systems (x) Rolling stock passenger comfort (x) Other - People behaviour and health (x) Overhead line equipment (x) Aerodynamics (x) Control and display systems (x) Movement authorities and signalling systems (x) Accident investigation and learning (x) Other - Interfaces (x) Safety data analysis (x) Rail Standardisation (x) Safety decision support (x) Revenue and ticketing (x) Safety data collection (x) Education and competence (x) Rolling stock fire performance (x) Smart grids and energy harvesting (x) On board power supplies and monitoring (x) Electrical safety (x) 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) ADHERE (x) PERFORM (x) DECARB (x) CLEAR (x) FREIGHT (x) RESILIENT (x) FUTURE RISK (x) Clear date filter (x)

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Research Project
T052a
End Date: 2003
Complete
This project addresses the recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his first report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, pertaining to improvements in… Read More
Research Project
T052
End Date: 2003
Complete
This project considers the use of low location marking systems and 'snap wands' as a means of providing lighting in an emergency. It addresses… Read More
Research Project
T115
End Date: 2003
Complete
This project developed earlier work led by Railtrack (now Network Rail) to develop a Whole Life Rail Model (WLRM), which encapsulates the industry's… Read More
Research Project
T066a
End Date: 2002
Complete
The research seeks to answer the question as to whether it is safer to remain on the train after an incident or to evacuate. Read More
Research Project
T022
End Date: 2002
Complete
This project examined the effectiveness of Driver Reminder Appliances (DRA) in preventing ‘starting against signal’ Signals Passed at Danger (SPAD). Read More
Research Project
T230b
End Date: 2002
Complete
An investigation into the apparent divergence in public attitudes to railway safety in that the public perceives the railway as a safe form of… Read More
Research Project
T060j
End Date: 2002
Complete
The level of adhesion demanded during braking, and the ability of the railway vehicle and infrastructure to provide it, are critical to maintaining… Read More
Research Project
T060g
End Date: 2002
Complete
Magnetic track brakes, which are used extensively on the continent, are often suggested as a solution to braking in low adhesion. This research… Read More
Research Project
T023
End Date: 2002
Complete
This short piece of work was commissioned in the wake of the Hatfield accident to identify the state of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) knowledge at the… Read More
Research Project
T024
End Date: 2002
Complete
This project identified various vigilance devices and technologies and evaluated their suitability for use in monitoring and maintaining train driver… Read More
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Applied filters: Complete (x) Underway (x) In Preparation (x) Safety (x) Capacity (x) Cost (x) Sustainability (x) Other - Safety and risk (x) Risk models (x) Wheel-rail interface (x) Attitudes and behaviour (x) Infrastructure asset management (x) Sustainable development (x) Train design - Components (x) Customer services for passengers (x) Health and wellbeing (x) Commercial dynamics of transport (x) Vehicle track dynamics (x) Movement of trains (x) Human performance (x) Station design (x) Other - Policy and decision making (x) Whole system design and modelling (x) Track design and components (x) Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x) Culture (x) Adhesion (x) Selection and training (x) Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x) Data and communications systems (x) Adaptation to climate change (x) Other - Energy and electrification (x) Rolling stock maintenance (x) Other - Control command and communication (x) Human reliability (x) Structures (x) Security management (x) Job design (x) Traffic supervision and management (x) Equipment workplace and environmental design (x) Braking systems (x) Customer services for freight (x) Railways Interoperability (x) Stations management and passenger flow (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) Value from data (x) Other - Infrastructure (x) Rolling stock passenger comfort (x) Other - People behaviour and health (x) Control and display systems (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) Rail Standardisation (x) Safety data collection (x) Accident investigation and learning (x) Education and competence (x) Rolling stock fire performance (x) Signalling - Train detection systems (x) Rolling stock interiors (x) CCC asset management (x) Revenue and ticketing (x) Electrical safety (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) 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) CLEAR (x) FREIGHT (x) FUTURE RISK (x) RESILIENT (x) Clear date filter (x)

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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
COF-MLD-03
End Date: 2025
Underway
A PhD studentship to explore how digital systems for late technology adopting passengers can be improved or adapted, in order to overcome barriers. 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
Research Project
T1318
End Date: 2025
Underway
Developing a validated model capable of predicting the growth of rolling contact damage on GB railways. Read More
Research Project
T1339
End Date: 2025
Underway
Could a standardised approach add value by harmonising industry processes around train planning and disruption management? 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
T1314
End Date: 2025
Underway
A seat comfort specification to include seat parameters assessing comfort for trains that are in motion. Read More
Research Project
T1316
End Date: 2025
Underway
Research in response to Recommendation 12 of the RAIB Rail Accident Report into the derailment of a passenger train at Carmont, Aberdeenshire on 12… Read More
Showing for
Applied filters: Complete (x) Underway (x) In Preparation (x) Sustainability (x) Safety (x) Capacity (x) Cost (x) Customer services for passengers (x) Sustainable development (x) Adaptation to climate change (x) Energy collection systems (x) Braking systems (x) Train design - Components (x) Power supply (x) Traffic supervision and management (x) Future technologies (x) Wheel-rail interface (x) Adhesion (x) On board power supplies and monitoring (x) Customer services for freight (x) Value from data (x) Selection and training (x) Revenue and ticketing (x) Commercial dynamics of transport (x) Data and communications systems (x) Movement of trains (x) Attitudes and behaviour (x) Job design (x) Rolling stock testing (x) Other - Energy and electrification (x) Human performance (x) Human reliability (x) Culture (x) Health and wellbeing (x) Smart grids and energy harvesting (x) Vehicle track dynamics (x) 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) 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)

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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
This braking solution uses known technology in a novel way to improve train braking performance, even in low-adhesion conditions. The 'Zero Wheel Slip… Read More
Innovation Project
SC12-TCX-05
End Date: 2019
Complete
Understanding what causes stress for passengers on their Northern rail journeys. Read More
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-09
End Date: 2019
Complete
WiFi data transmission speeds between trackside and train do not provide sufficient capacity to support the government's commitment to WiFi for all… Read More
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
SC03-REP-01
End Date: 2019
Complete
Construction of a hybrid powered very light rail demonstrator vehicle. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-14
End Date: 2019
Complete
A new type of high-efficiency hydraulic transmission for diesel powered rail vehicles that enables the recovery of braking energy. Read More
Innovation Project
SC12-TCX-09
End Date: 2018
Complete
Department for Transport 2015 Transport and Disability statistics report 9 per cent of adults as having a mobility difficulty. However, Transport For… Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-16
End Date: 2018
Complete
Use of Flywheel Technology as energy storage to create a hybrid flywheel powertrain to reduce emissions and fuel consumption by recovering braking… Read More
Innovation Project
SC06-ACC-03
End Date: 2018
Complete
The existing passenger assistance process is fundamentally flawed and is preventing disabled passengers from accessing the UK rail network. Read More
Showing for
Applied filters: Complete (x) Underway (x) In Preparation (x) Sustainability (x) Safety (x) Capacity (x) Cost (x) Attitudes and behaviour (x) 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) Future technologies (x) Adaptation to climate change (x) Culture (x) Power supply (x) Infrastructure asset management (x) Rolling stock maintenance (x) Human reliability (x) Commercial dynamics of transport (x) Train design - Components (x) Railways Interoperability (x) Wheel-rail interface (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) Rolling stock asset management (x) Structures (x) 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) Rolling stock testing (x) Energy collection systems (x) Customer services for freight (x) Other - People behaviour and health (x) Equipment workplace and environmental design (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)

Topics

Programme

Date

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Knowledge Search
S379
End Date: 2024
Complete
A look at fitness to work criteria across a range of UK non-rail industries and in the Australian and Canadian rail industries. Read More
Knowledge Search
S375
End Date: 2024
Complete
A survey of available sensor technologies, what benefits they could offer the rail industry, and how they should be deployed. Read More
Knowledge Search
S378
End Date: 2024
Complete
A review of the literature on shift work and its impact on fatigue, accidents and broader aspects of health. Read More
Knowledge Search
S382
End Date: 2024
Complete
A review of the hazards from lithium-ion batteries and setting out best practice for their use and storage. Read More
Knowledge Search
S366
End Date: 2023
Complete
The benefits and risks of trackside green infrastructure, principles of managing it, and the role of new technologies. Read More
Knowledge Search
S376
End Date: 2023
Complete
The psychological, physical, and productivity impacts of employees regularly working from home. Read More
Knowledge Search
S370
End Date: 2023
Complete
An overview of the current use of wayfinding tactiles on the railway, their benefits and disadvantages, and the role of new digital wayfinding… Read More
Knowledge Search
S363
End Date: 2023
Complete
Learning from other industries on applying artificial intelligence techniques to monitor and analyse voice communications. Read More
Knowledge Search
S373
End Date: 2023
Complete
Information on crushable desk and knee bolsters to protect drivers in accidents. Read More
Knowledge Search
S372
End Date: 2023
Complete
Reducing potential injuries from window breakages during accidents. Read More