Key Research Areas

The rail industry has a strong safety record. However, high-profile incidents in recent years have shown the on-going challenge of keeping this position. We pursue research to continue to proactively manage and improve the safe running of trains.

Our safety risk modelling has underpinned safety-driven, evidence-based interventions. This capability needs to evolve with new technologies. It also needs to integrate other types of risks. This is vital to inform change, and help to address the growing cost and reliability challenge.

Reliable train services are what customers need and want. Rail must minimise delays and cancellations. And when they happen, it must improve the management of disruptions. To do so, new technology and improved processes are needed.

Assets’ failures lead to delay and cancellations, while resources to replace and maintain assets are more constrained than ever. Failure rates and costs depend significantly on how well the different assets that are part of the rail system interface and work together. This is where our work focuses.

In parts of the electrified rail network, demand for traction power is already at full capacity during peak hours. And demand will only increase with more electric, battery, and multi-mode trains. To mitigate this challenge, our research looks at how to make best use of the traction power.

Journeys by rail have a low carbon footprint. But we can do more reduce lower emissions to remain the sustainable transport mode of choice. New knowledge is needed to improve the understanding of the current situation and support the selection of new solutions.

Achieving at least 75% freight growth by 2050 needs new thinking. Our freight research works on a range of new operational and engineering solutions. These solutions focus on ways to safely improve efficiency and remove barriers to rail freight growth.

AI-powered solutions can improve safety, cut costs, and give rail customers a better experience. But we need to get the most from AI and avoid the pitfalls. We are working on guidance and tools to inform the safe integration and deployment of AI to railway engineering and operations.

Greater data interoperability is vital to deliver for rail customers and reduce costs. It underpins the ability to share, integrate, and best use the growing amount of data the railway generates. And it allows these things to happen in efficient and effective ways.

The physical and mental fitness of individuals in safety critical roles underpins the delivery of a safe railway. There are opportunities to manage fitness for duty better and more fairly. Research will bring novel evidence and solutions to do so.

We foster strong collaboration between industry and academia. We also engage with rail research. institutions in other countries. This allows us to gain valuable insights and to find opportunities to accelerate and co-fund research.

To improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the railway, findings from research need to be turned into actions and changes. This can be hard and take time. To support industry on this journey we proactively work with early adopters and monitor take-up.