A partnership between the RSSB, the rail supply industry and eight universities has secured £92 million to help make the UK a world-leading centre of railway excellence.
Alstom, Siemens and Bombardier Transportation are among 17 industrial partners that have invested £64 million and the UK Research Partnership £28.1 million into the partnership.
The group, which is part of the newly-created UK Railway Research and Innovation Network, will use the money to establish three world-class centres of excellence for research.
These will focus on:
- Digital Systems: Located at the University of Birmingham, this centre will focus on railway control and simulation, data integration and cybersecurity, condition monitoring and sensing, and improved methods for technology introduction.
- Rolling Stock: Led by the University of Huddersfield in collaboration with the University of Newcastle and Loughborough University, it will focus on high value rolling stock systems, whole life asset optimisation and through-life management, and energy management.
- Infrastructure: Led by the University of Southampton in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and Heriot-Watt University.
The RSSB said that the centres will be able to develop world-leading technologies and products for trains, railway systems and infrastructure to deliver a better, more reliable and efficient railway.
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