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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Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Cost (x)
Sustainability (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Customer (x)
Adhesion (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Braking systems (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Track design and components (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Human performance (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Risk models (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (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)
Derailment (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Selection and training (x)
Job design (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Future technologies (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)
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)
Electrical safety (x)
Culture (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Trespass (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Station design (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Power supply (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)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Whole system design and modelling (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
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
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Results per page:
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
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
COF-UOS-05
End Date: 2025
Complete
A PhD studentship focused on estimating adhesion levels using train mounted equipment, which could more evidence-based operational decisions. Read More
Research Project
COF-ITR-04
End Date: 2025
Complete
A PhD studentship examining the effects of rough surfaces and their interaction with friction modifiers and contaminants in the wheel-rail interface. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS22-04
End Date: 2025
Complete
A standardised approach to field testing, including creating simulated leaf layers and measuring their properties, is needed to assess and compare… Read More
Research Project
COF-G24-02
End Date: 2024
Complete
This research examined how well commercially available enzymes degrade leaf film in track conditions, including lower temperatures. It also looked at… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-79
End Date: 2024
Complete
Understanding how the characteristics of leaf layers, wetting rates and wheel load affect the bonding strength, durability and adhesion levels of the… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-74
End Date: 2024
Underway
Registered
Real-time LABRADOR (COF-UOH-74)
Research Project
COF-UOS22-02
End Date: 2024
Complete
AI could help deliver earlier warnings of low adhesion conditions, helping staff make better, more evidence-based decisions about mitigation. Read More
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Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Cost (x)
Sustainability (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Customer (x)
Adhesion (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Braking systems (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Train design - Components (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Track design and components (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Human performance (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Risk models (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Operational Safety (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)
Derailment (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Selection and training (x)
Job design (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Future technologies (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)
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)
Electrical safety (x)
Culture (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Trespass (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Station design (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Power supply (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)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Whole system design and modelling (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
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
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
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
COF-UOS-05
End Date: 2025
Complete
A PhD studentship focused on estimating adhesion levels using train mounted equipment, which could more evidence-based operational decisions. Read More
Research Project
COF-ITR-04
End Date: 2025
Complete
A PhD studentship examining the effects of rough surfaces and their interaction with friction modifiers and contaminants in the wheel-rail interface. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS22-04
End Date: 2025
Complete
A standardised approach to field testing, including creating simulated leaf layers and measuring their properties, is needed to assess and compare… Read More
Research Project
COF-G24-02
End Date: 2024
Complete
This research examined how well commercially available enzymes degrade leaf film in track conditions, including lower temperatures. It also looked at… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-79
End Date: 2024
Complete
Understanding how the characteristics of leaf layers, wetting rates and wheel load affect the bonding strength, durability and adhesion levels of the… Read More
Research Project
COF-UOH-74
End Date: 2024
Underway
Registered
Real-time LABRADOR (COF-UOH-74)
Research Project
COF-UOS22-02
End Date: 2024
Complete
AI could help deliver earlier warnings of low adhesion conditions, helping staff make better, more evidence-based decisions about mitigation. Read More
Showing for
Applied filters:
Complete (x)
Underway (x)
In Preparation (x)
Sustainability (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Cost (x)
Customer (x)
Braking systems (x)
Adhesion (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Train design - Components (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)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Selection and training (x)
Job design (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Human performance (x)
Future technologies (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)
Customer services for freight (x)
Sustainable development (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)
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)
Overhead line equipment (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)
Power supply (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)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
ADHERE (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
DECARB (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Topics
- Energy and Electrification
- Interfaces
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
Innovation Project
SC04-POB-13
End Date: 2020
Complete
The project will create an advanced braking control system which optimises the braking performance of the existing friction and dynamic braking. It… Read More
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-15
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
Predictable and Optimised Braking: Using cryogenic technology to increase adhesion (SC04-POB-15)
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
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
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)
Sustainability (x)
Safety (x)
Capacity (x)
Cost (x)
Customer (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Braking systems (x)
Track design and components (x)
Adhesion (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (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)
Derailment (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)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Human performance (x)
Future technologies (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)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Sustainable development (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)
Electrical safety (x)
Train design - Components (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)
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)
Power supply (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)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
ADHERE (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
DECARB (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Topics
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
From: To:
Sort By:
Results per page:
Knowledge Search
S316
End Date: 2019
Complete
Registered
Sand Alternatives to Boost Adhesion (S316)
Knowledge Search
S284
End Date: 2017
Complete
How well do laboratory tests of friction modifiers (lubricants and greases to reduce surface friction) reflect their performance in the field? Read More
Knowledge Search
S250
End Date: 2016
Complete
Registered
European Fact Finding on Adhesion (S250)
Knowledge Search
S235
End Date: 2015
Complete
Registered
Biochemistry of Leaves on Tracks (S235)
Knowledge Search
S189
End Date: 2014
Complete
What are the known impacts associated with the use of electromagnetic track brakes on railway infrastructure? Read More
Knowledge Search
S136
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered