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)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
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Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Station design (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
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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)
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Traffic supervision and management (x)
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Structures (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
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Railways Interoperability (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Future technologies (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (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)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (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)
FREIGHT (x)
CLEAR (x)
RESILIENT (x)
FUTURE RISK (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 (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 (39)
- Customer services for passengers (99)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (60)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (45)
- Operational Safety (29)
- Other - Operations (32)
- Revenue and ticketing (10)
- 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 (56)
- Human reliability (45)
- Job design (40)
- Selection and training (48)
- Other - People behaviour and health (21)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (42)
- 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 (92)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (49)
- Other - Rolling stock (37)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
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
Registered
Exploring late adopters’ engagement with digital technology in the rail sector (COF-MLD-03)
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
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
T1348
End Date: 2025
Underway
The feasibility and benefits of setting differentail speed limites for freight trains, depending on actual braking capability. 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
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Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Sustainability (x)
Cost (x)
Customer (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Risk models (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Infrastructure asset management (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)
Adhesion (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Culture (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)
Structures (x)
Human reliability (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)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Power supply (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)
Accident investigation and learning (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)
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)
FREIGHT (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
RESILIENT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Objectives
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 (30)
- Customer services for passengers (70)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (2)
- Movement of trains (55)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (43)
- Operational Safety (24)
- Other - Operations (25)
- Revenue and ticketing (4)
- 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 (50)
- Human reliability (33)
- Job design (31)
- Selection and training (42)
- Other - People behaviour and health (17)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (30)
- 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 (42)
- Other - Rolling stock (28)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
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
Registered
Exploring late adopters’ engagement with digital technology in the rail sector (COF-MLD-03)
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
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
T1348
End Date: 2025
Underway
The feasibility and benefits of setting differentail speed limites for freight trains, depending on actual braking capability. 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
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Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
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Sustainability (x)
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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)
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:
Sort By:
Results per page:
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
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
Registered
Powertrain: Digital displacement hydraulic transmission and brake energy recovery (SC04-POT-14)
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
SC06-ACC-03
End Date: 2018
Complete
Registered
Rail4All (SC06-ACC-03)
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
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Customer (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)
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 (9)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (6)
- Other - Rolling stock (8)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
Knowledge Search
S137
End Date: 2013
Complete
Is there a case for installing inward-facing CCTV cameras in train driver cabs as an aid to investigating incidents and accidents? Read More
Knowledge Search
S138
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Additive Manufacturing (S138)
Knowledge Search
S163
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Asymmetric load of freight containers (S163)
Knowledge Search
S166
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Train dispatch risk assessment (S166)
Knowledge Search
S178
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Route learning technology (S178)
Knowledge Search
S173
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Electrical damage in bearings (S173)
Knowledge Search
S117
End Date: 2013
Complete
Use of social media for general communication is now routine in many organisations but its relevance to emergency situations is less well… Read More
Knowledge Search
S159
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Use of Hydrogen as an energy store (S159)
Knowledge Search
S161
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Sustainable infrastructure (S161)
Knowledge Search
S171
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered