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)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
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Safety data collection (x)
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Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
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Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
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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 (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 (33)
- 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 (50)
- Other - Rolling stock (37)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
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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
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
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
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
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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)
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)
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)
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 (26)
- 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 (43)
- Other - Rolling stock (28)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Research Project
T1325
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Rail Carbon Accounting Framework (T1325)
Research Project
T1332
End Date: 2025
Underway
How mobile phones can help drivers in their tasks, and the requirements these devices will need to meet. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-80
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Squat initiation under braking (COF-UOH-80)
Research Project
T344
End Date: 2025
Underway
An updated and enhanced model to help
operators quantify knock-on risk. Read More
Research Project
T1330
End Date: 2025
Underway
Potential benefits and use cases for fitting sensors on rolling stock and making use of the data. Read More
Research Project
T1279
End Date: 2025
Complete
Establishing bespoke pass and fail thresholds for assessing the severity of colour vision deficiency in mainline train drivers, with respect to their… Read More
Research Project
COF-HTT-01
End Date: 2024
Underway
Finding common approaches to wheel-rail interfaces for new tram-train services, aiming to cut costs and reduce uncertainty. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS22-04
End Date: 2024
Underway
Test protocols for a standardised approach to the creation of leaf layers in the field and taking friction and chemistry measurements on the railhead. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-78
End Date: 2024
Underway
Helping industry to detect wagon defects using Wheel Impact Load Detector data, by automating and reporting the data analytics. Read More
Research Project
COF-G24-02
End Date: 2024
Complete
Developing and evaluating enzyme treatments for breaking down the black layer of leaf film that causes low adhesion on the railhead. Read More
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Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
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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)
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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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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
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)
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Adaptation to climate change (x)
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Human reliability (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
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Railways Interoperability (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Track design and components (x)
Social dynamics of transport (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 (9)
- 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