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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Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Risk models (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Infrastructure asset management (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)
Adhesion (x)
Culture (x)
Human performance (x)
Track design and components (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Selection and training (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Power supply (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Human reliability (x)
Braking systems (x)
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Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Structures (x)
Security management (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Future technologies (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Value from data (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Education and competence (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
Gauging (x)
Trespass (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
ADHERE (x)
PERFORM (x)
DECARB (x)
FREIGHT (x)
CLEAR (x)
RESILIENT (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
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Status
Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (3)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (47)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (17)
- 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 (44)
- Customer services for passengers (102)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (61)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (45)
- Operational Safety (33)
- Other - Operations (33)
- Revenue and ticketing (9)
- Security management (39)
- Stations management and passenger flow (31)
- Traffic supervision and management (44)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (128)
- Culture (56)
- Education and competence (9)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (36)
- Health and wellbeing (89)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (55)
- Human reliability (44)
- Job design (42)
- Selection and training (48)
- Trespass (1)
- Other - People behaviour and health (20)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (43)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (8)
- Rolling stock asset management (29)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (28)
- Rolling stock fire performance (9)
- Rolling stock interiors (5)
- Rolling stock maintenance (44)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (29)
- Rolling stock testing (33)
- Train design - Components (94)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (50)
- Other - Rolling stock (37)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
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-UOS22-03
End Date: 2026
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-RAATS
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS)
Research Project
T1370
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Developments in the use of on-train satellite positioning technology based locators (T1370)
Research Project
T1349
End Date: 2026
Underway
A new framework to help industry define, measure, and improve data interoperability. 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
T1376
End Date: 2026
Underway
Helping industry prepare for FRMCS and exploit the new system capabilities. Read More
Research Project
T1341
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Framework for assessment of technologies to deliver reliable braking in low adhesion (T1341)
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In Preparation (x)
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Customer (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Risk models (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Station design (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Human performance (x)
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)
Data and communications systems (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Structures (x)
Job design (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Security management (x)
Human reliability (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Braking systems (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Power supply (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Value from data (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Future technologies (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Education and competence (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
Gauging (x)
Trespass (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)
Status
Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (3)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (41)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (15)
- 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 (35)
- Customer services for passengers (73)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (2)
- Movement of trains (56)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (43)
- Operational Safety (27)
- Other - Operations (26)
- Revenue and ticketing (3)
- Security management (32)
- Stations management and passenger flow (29)
- Traffic supervision and management (32)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (100)
- Culture (43)
- Education and competence (7)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (31)
- Health and wellbeing (64)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (48)
- Human reliability (32)
- Job design (33)
- Selection and training (42)
- Trespass (1)
- Other - People behaviour and health (16)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (30)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (3)
- Rolling stock asset management (23)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (22)
- Rolling stock fire performance (7)
- Rolling stock interiors (5)
- Rolling stock maintenance (35)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (23)
- Rolling stock testing (26)
- Train design - Components (77)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (43)
- Other - Rolling stock (28)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
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-UOS22-03
End Date: 2026
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-RAATS
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS)
Research Project
T1370
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Developments in the use of on-train satellite positioning technology based locators (T1370)
Research Project
T1349
End Date: 2026
Underway
A new framework to help industry define, measure, and improve data interoperability. 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
T1376
End Date: 2026
Underway
Helping industry prepare for FRMCS and exploit the new system capabilities. Read More
Research Project
T1341
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Framework for assessment of technologies to deliver reliable braking in low adhesion (T1341)
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Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Sustainability (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Cost (x)
Customer (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)
Trespass (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
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
I01-CLR-06
End Date: 2023
Complete
Registered
Assisted VSTP (I01-CLR-06)
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-17
End Date: 2021
Complete
Registered
Powertrain: Dual fuel technology for improving operating costs and emissions from DMU (SC04-POT-17)
Innovation Project
I01-CLR-05
End Date: 2021
Complete
Registered
Pathfinder (I01-CLR-05)
Innovation Project
I01-CLR-04
End Date: 2021
Complete
Identification of unused train paths for use by freight services as part of the Very Short-Term Planning (VSTP) system. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-VLR-01
End Date: 2021
Complete
Construction of a hybrid powered very light rail demonstrator vehicle. Read More
Innovation Project
I12-TCV-02
End Date: 2020
Complete
Registered
Trainserv (I12-TCV-02)
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
SC12-TCF-14
End Date: 2019
Complete
There are opportunities to improve the customer experience through improved tracking of passenger numbers. Read More
Innovation Project
SC12-TCX-04
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
Intelligent Gatelines (SC12-TCX-04)
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
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Customer (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Station design (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Future technologies (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Culture (x)
Power supply (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Human reliability (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
Railways Interoperability (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)
Braking systems (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Structures (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Value from data (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Risk models (x)
Adhesion (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Human performance (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Selection and training (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)
Trespass (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 (5)
- 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 (6)
- 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 (6)
- 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
S380
End Date: 2025
Complete
Registered
Hydrogen as a combustion fuel (S380)
Knowledge Search
S387
End Date: 2025
Complete
Looking at the levels of CO2 in passenger carriages, and whether current standards ensure passenger health and comfort. Read More
Knowledge Search
S386
End Date: 2025
Complete
Registered
Freight train braking (S386)
Knowledge Search
S381
End Date: 2025
Complete
An overview of the factors that affect the build-up of leaf fall contamination, the relationship between different types of contamination, and the… Read More
Knowledge Search
S388
End Date: 2025
Complete
Looking for scientific evidence that people get more tired after meals, and what might mititgate any risks. Read More
Knowledge Search
S384
End Date: 2024
Complete
Could personal health monitoring devices reduce the wearer’s risk of incapacity and allow them to return to work? Read More
Knowledge Search
S385
End Date: 2024
Complete
The potential of body armour to protect rail staff against violent incidents. Read More
Knowledge Search
S379
End Date: 2024
Complete
Registered
Fitness to Work (S379)
Knowledge Search
S375
End Date: 2024
Complete
Registered
Sensors and the Internet of Things (S375)
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