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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Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Train design - Components (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Future technologies (x)
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Rolling stock testing (x)
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Other - Rolling stock (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Braking systems (x)
Track design and components (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
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Railways Interoperability (x)
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Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
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Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Selection and training (x)
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Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
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Traffic supervision and management (x)
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Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
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CCC asset management (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
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Human reliability (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Gauging (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Culture (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Trespass (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
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Adhesion (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Safety data collection (x)
DECARB (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
ADHERE (x)
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Status
Objectives
Topics
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
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Results per page:
Research Project
T1325
End Date: 2025
Underway

Registered
Rail Carbon Accounting Framework (T1325)
Research Project
T1270
End Date: 2024
Complete
Research into developing a real-time energy management system to better manage supply and demand of power on electrified routes. Read More
Research Project
T1272
End Date: 2024
Complete
Finding the right level of
standardisation to cut costs, increase
long term flexibility, and ensure
safety. Read More
Research Project
T1228
End Date: 2024
Complete
If the rail industry is to make a meaningful contribution to the net zero target, it will need to effectively manage carbon in its supply chains and… Read More
Research Project
T1201
End Date: 2023
Complete
A detailed review of ways to incentivise a transition to lower carbon forms of traction, capital and major refurbishment works. Read More
Research Project
T1229
End Date: 2023
Complete

Registered
Low Carbon Freight Modelling (T1229)
Research Project
T1227
End Date: 2022
Complete

Registered
DECARB: Decarbonisation action plans (T1227)
Research Project
T1237
End Date: 2022
Complete
Guidance for the British rail industry on train design and specification to minimise overall carbon emissions Read More
Research Project
T1214
End Date: 2021
Complete
Third rail remains a cost-effective solution for electrification and decarbonising the railways when these are close or adjacent to existing 750V DC… Read More
Research Project
T1198
End Date: 2021
Complete
Identifying opportunities for step change improvements in carbon reduction. Read More
Showing for
Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Sustainability (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Cost (x)
Customer (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Power supply (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Track design and components (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Value from data (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Derailment (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Selection and training (x)
Job design (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Human performance (x)
Future technologies (x)
Braking systems (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Revenue and ticketing (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)
Human reliability (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Gauging (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Culture (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Trespass (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Station design (x)
Adhesion (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Safety data collection (x)
DECARB (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
ADHERE (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Objectives
Topics
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
Research Project
T1325
End Date: 2025
Underway

Registered
Rail Carbon Accounting Framework (T1325)
Research Project
T1270
End Date: 2024
Complete
Research into developing a real-time energy management system to better manage supply and demand of power on electrified routes. Read More
Research Project
T1272
End Date: 2024
Complete
Finding the right level of
standardisation to cut costs, increase
long term flexibility, and ensure
safety. Read More
Research Project
T1228
End Date: 2024
Complete
If the rail industry is to make a meaningful contribution to the net zero target, it will need to effectively manage carbon in its supply chains and… Read More
Research Project
T1201
End Date: 2023
Complete
A detailed review of ways to incentivise a transition to lower carbon forms of traction, capital and major refurbishment works. Read More
Research Project
T1229
End Date: 2023
Complete

Registered
Low Carbon Freight Modelling (T1229)
Research Project
T1227
End Date: 2022
Complete

Registered
DECARB: Decarbonisation action plans (T1227)
Research Project
T1237
End Date: 2022
Complete
Guidance for the British rail industry on train design and specification to minimise overall carbon emissions Read More
Research Project
T1214
End Date: 2021
Complete
Third rail remains a cost-effective solution for electrification and decarbonising the railways when these are close or adjacent to existing 750V DC… Read More
Research Project
T1198
End Date: 2021
Complete
Identifying opportunities for step change improvements in carbon reduction. Read More
Showing for
Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Sustainability (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Cost (x)
Customer (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Train design - Components (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Future technologies (x)
Power supply (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Braking systems (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Value from data (x)
Derailment (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Selection and training (x)
Job design (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Human performance (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Track design and components (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Revenue and ticketing (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)
Human reliability (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Gauging (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Culture (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Customer services for passengers (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)
Adhesion (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)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
DECARB (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
ADHERE (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Topics
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
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
SC04-VLR-01
End Date: 2021
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
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
Innovation Project
SC04-IPU-01
End Date: 2016
Complete
Battery powered EMU which ran in passenger service in 2015. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-01
End Date: 2016
Complete
Feasibility study to develop a concept design and establish the merits of a Fuel Cell Electric Multiple Unit (FCEMU). Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-03
End Date: 2016
Complete
Construction of a diesel‐electric hybrid power‐pack for efficient self-powered rail vehicles. Read More
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Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
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Cost (x)
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
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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