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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Wheel-rail interface (x)
Risk models (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
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Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Movement of trains (x)
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Adhesion (x)
Human performance (x)
Track design and components (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Selection and training (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
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Security management (x)
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Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Braking systems (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Future technologies (x)
Value from data (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Education and competence (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Derailment (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)
FREIGHT (x)
DECARB (x)
CLEAR (x)
Enabling AI in Rail (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
RESILIENT (x)
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Status
Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (5)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (43)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (18)
- 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 (44)
- Customer services for passengers (93)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (56)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (46)
- Operational Safety (36)
- Other - Operations (33)
- Revenue and ticketing (4)
- Security management (40)
- Stations management and passenger flow (30)
- Traffic supervision and management (38)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (126)
- Culture (55)
- Education and competence (10)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (39)
- Health and wellbeing (93)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (53)
- Human reliability (41)
- Job design (40)
- Selection and training (49)
- Trespass (1)
- Other - People behaviour and health (20)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (35)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (3)
- Rolling stock asset management (29)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (28)
- Rolling stock fire performance (9)
- Rolling stock interiors (5)
- Rolling stock maintenance (45)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (32)
- Rolling stock testing (30)
- Train design - Components (89)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (49)
- Other - Rolling stock (36)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Research Project
T096
End Date: 2003
Complete
Some hazards on the railway are weather and climate related and future climate change may increase the system's susceptibility to these hazards. This… Read More
Research Project
T105
End Date: 2003
Complete
Registered
Wayside horns at level crossings (T105)
Research Project
T227
End Date: 2003
Complete
Reviewing the role of Bayesian Belief Networks and Goal Structured Notation in developing safety cases within the rail industry to improve the quality… Read More
Research Project
T144
End Date: 2003
Complete
This project conducted laboratory and on-track testing of a prototype railhead cleaning system called 'Laserthor', which uses lasers to remove… Read More
Research Project
T175
End Date: 2003
Complete
This project assessed existing methods of protecting traction power supply sections, to identify improvements to the speed and selectivity of fault… Read More
Research Project
T091
End Date: 2002
Complete
This project identified the train parameters required to enable the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) to understand the physical… 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
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Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
Safety (x)
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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)
Train design - Components (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Station design (x)
Human performance (x)
Adhesion (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Selection and training (x)
Track design and components (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Culture (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Structures (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Job design (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Security management (x)
Human reliability (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Power supply (x)
Braking systems (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Value from data (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Future technologies (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety decision support (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 system integration and life cycle management (x)
Electrical safety (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Derailment (x)
Revenue and ticketing (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)
FREIGHT (x)
DECARB (x)
CLEAR (x)
Enabling AI in Rail (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 (5)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (41)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (17)
- 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 (40)
- Customer services for passengers (75)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (55)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (44)
- Operational Safety (29)
- Other - Operations (26)
- Revenue and ticketing (2)
- Security management (32)
- Stations management and passenger flow (27)
- Traffic supervision and management (32)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (100)
- Culture (43)
- Education and competence (8)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (32)
- Health and wellbeing (67)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (49)
- Human reliability (32)
- Job design (34)
- Selection and training (45)
- Trespass (1)
- 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 (5)
- Rolling stock maintenance (36)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (25)
- Rolling stock testing (26)
- Train design - Components (78)
- 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-UOS-06
End Date: 2026
Complete
A PhD studentship delivering new insights into low adhesion leaf layers which can help to predict low adhesion on the line. Read More
Research Project
T1335
End Date: 2026
Complete
Finding ways to separate vital information from routine enquiries, so that controllers can make informed decisions to end disruption. Read More
Research Project
T1338
End Date: 2026
Complete
A review the existing WON and PON process to understand how it is currently used, and whether alternative means to communicate key information would… Read More
Research Project
T1300
End Date: 2026
Complete
A tool to support the assessment of capability of underline bridges for heavy axle weight freight services. Read More
Research Project
T1361
End Date: 2026
Complete
Evaluating and informing the draft of a new international standard on the assessment of digital testing tools. Read More
Research Project
T1354
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Enabling unplanned bi-directional running on a line signalled for only one direction (T1354)
Research Project
T1366
End Date: 2026
Underway
Developing and testing an algorithm for managing electrical traction power system capacity.
Read More
Research Project
T1395
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Building an industry-wide landscape of current and emerging AI-powered applications in rail (T1395)
Research Project
T1339
End Date: 2026
Complete
Could a standardised approach add value by harmonising industry processes around train planning and disruption management? Read More
Research Project
T1356
End Date: 2026
Complete
Registered
Improving Power Changeover Practices (T1356)
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Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Sustainability (x)
Cost (x)
Customer (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Station design (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Future technologies (x)
Culture (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Power supply (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)
Security management (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Job design (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Braking systems (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Structures (x)
Operational Safety (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)
Selection and training (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)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Revenue and ticketing (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)
Enabling AI in Rail (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 (6)
- Other - Operations (7)
- Revenue and ticketing (2)
- Security management (8)
- Stations management and passenger flow (3)
- 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 (7)
- Rolling stock testing (4)
- Train design - Components (11)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (6)
- Other - Rolling stock (8)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
Knowledge Search
S331
End Date: 2019
Complete
Does smart phone use by staff that are not engaged in safety-critical activity represent a new safety risk to rail? 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
S335
End Date: 2018
Complete
Registered
Wheel Wear and Adhesion Modification (S335)
Knowledge Search
S310
End Date: 2018
Complete
Understanding of the governance requirements for successfully implementing smart ticketing and integrated transport. Read More
Knowledge Search
S313
End Date: 2018
Complete
Registered
Battery Charging Systems (S313)
Knowledge Search
S324
End Date: 2018
Complete
Examining the risk of electric shock to passengers or the public carrying long objects such as selfie sticks or helium balloons, near the overhead… Read More
Knowledge Search
S326
End Date: 2018
Complete
Key aspects of legislature and standardisation important to the development of E-LOBSTER. Read More
Knowledge Search
S332
End Date: 2018
Complete
Registered
AdBlue Connections (S332)
Knowledge Search
S303
End Date: 2018
Complete
Registered
Physical Capacity Utilisation (S303)
Knowledge Search
S296
End Date: 2018
Complete
Registered