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)
Customer (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)
Culture (x)
Adhesion (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)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Human reliability (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Power supply (x)
Job design (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Braking systems (x)
Structures (x)
Security management (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Future technologies (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Value from data (x)
Rolling stock asset management (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)
Safety data collection (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Education and competence (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (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)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (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 (3)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (46)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (15)
- 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 (97)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (59)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (45)
- Operational Safety (31)
- 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 (54)
- 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 (8)
- Rolling stock asset management (29)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (28)
- Rolling stock fire performance (9)
- Rolling stock interiors (4)
- Rolling stock maintenance (44)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (25)
- Rolling stock testing (32)
- Train design - Components (93)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (50)
- Other - Rolling stock (37)
- 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-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
T1345
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Development of a train accident cost model for integration with the Safety Risk Model (T1345)
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
Showing for
Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Cost (x)
Sustainability (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)
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)
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)
Operational Safety (x)
Power supply (x)
Rolling stock testing (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)
Safety data analysis (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Education and competence (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Rolling stock interiors (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)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
Gauging (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (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 (3)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (40)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (13)
- 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 (68)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (2)
- Movement of trains (54)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (43)
- Operational Safety (26)
- 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 (48)
- 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 (3)
- Rolling stock asset management (23)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (22)
- Rolling stock fire performance (7)
- Rolling stock interiors (4)
- Rolling stock maintenance (35)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (20)
- 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:
Sort By:
Results per page:
Research Project
T1342
End Date: 2025
Underway
Modelling the potential consequences of a train collisions and derailments for different train types, speeds, lengths, and loading.
Read More
Research Project
T1362
End Date: 2025
Underway
An agreed set of human factors principles to help the industry be more efficient in exploring and implementing AI-powered solutions.
Read More
Research Project
T1358
End Date: 2025
Underway
Real-word testing of rail diesel emisisons, including comparison with emissions from hydrotreated vegetable oils and consideration of the role of… Read More
Research Project
T1335
End Date: 2025
Underway
Finding ways to separate vital information from routine enquiries, so that controllers can make informed decisions to end disruption. Read More
Research Project
T1350
End Date: 2025
Underway
A fundamental study into the conditions that lead to wheel flats on freight vehicles, and potential mitigations. Read More
Research Project
T1369
End Date: 2025
Underway
Investigating passenger heating/cooling systems to improve efficiency and identify options for battery-powered trains. Read More
Research Project
T1314
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Dynamic seat comfort for passengers (T1314)
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
Research Project
COF-UOH-85
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Feasibility of identifying overspeed events using Train Describer train movement data (COF-UOH-85)
Research Project
T1368
End Date: 2025
Underway
Looking for opportunities to simplify signalling connections, encouraging freight growth and cutting costs. Read More
Showing for
Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Customer (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)
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
SC12-TCX-07
End Date: 2018
Complete
We are addressing incidents at the Platform Train Interface (PTI), specifically tackling safety and security. The Interactive Platform Simulator is… Read More
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-04
End Date: 2018
Complete
Registered
TOC '15: MyJrny (SC12-TCF-04)
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-08
End Date: 2017
Complete
Train Operating Companies commonly score less highly in the National Rail Passenger Survey (NRPS) for how disruption is handled and information is… Read More
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-10
End Date: 2017
Complete
Registered
TOC '15: Open GPS gateway (SC12-TCF-10)
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-05
End Date: 2017
Complete
Registered
TOC '15: Big operational data (SC12-TCF-05)
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-06
End Date: 2017
Complete
Ticketing is still offered to customers in formats such as paper tickets and barcode. Customers are increasingly demanding greater convenience. Read More
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-03
End Date: 2017
Complete
Registered
TOC '15: Orinoco 2 (SC12-TCF-03)
Innovation Project
SC12-TCF-07
End Date: 2017
Complete
WiFi is becoming more prominent on rail services, but there is a limited understanding of the capabilities it can enable and changes in behaviour we… Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-IPU-01
End Date: 2016
Complete
Battery powered EMU which ran in passenger service in 2015. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POB-04
End Date: 2016
Complete
Registered
Predictable and Optimised Braking: Reconditioned brake discs to improve performance (SC04-POB-04)
Showing for
Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Capacity (x)
Safety (x)
Sustainability (x)
Cost (x)
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)
Train design - Components (x)
Culture (x)
Power supply (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Human reliability (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (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 (10)
- 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