Get involved
Welcome to SPARK, the newly refreshed rail knowledge hub | What technical developments should rail pursue to meet future challenges? | Save the date for the next V/T SIC and ADHERE seminar | Ten-year milestone for the research partnership between RSSB and the University of Huddersfield
SPARK has migrated to a new platform, bringing with it a fresh look and feel.
Launched in 2011 and managed by RSSB in partnership with UIC (the international union of railways), SPARK is a free, interactive platform enabling the global rail community to share information, thereby reducing duplication and accelerating innovation.
It is increasingly important to understand what research has already been undertaken and fully exploit opportunities to learn from others and to collaborate both nationally and internationally. SPARK is where you will find information on rail research activities carried out around the world, specialist content collections, PhDs, and more.
We have retained the most popular features of SPARK and updated the interface to produce a more streamlined, user-friendly, and fresh knowledge hub with stronger search functionalities.
All publications and specialist collections have been migrated to the new hub. A handy guide can be found below to illustrate key differences between the RSSB Research Catalogue and SPARK, plus where best to start your search for research information.
Information on UK academic capabilities and global test facilities can be found on the Rail Technical Strategy Website: railtechnicalstrategy.co.uk
We need your continued support to keep enriching this content by sharing your research activities and findings. Get in touch, and we will work with you to upload your content.
Explore the refreshed rail knowledge hub at rssb.co.uk/spark.
Contact Nailah Fraser-Haynes, Senior Partnership and Knowledge Exchange Manager, with any questions or to discuss sharing your research via SPARK:
Nailah.Fraser-Haynes@rssb.co.uk
Follow SPARK on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkrail
Engage with the current Rail Technical Strategy and contribute to making it ready for the next five years.
The Rail Technical Strategy (RTS) has been successful in setting out an agreed way forward for technical development in the rail industry. It remains a ‘live’ document that is ‘keeping everyone honest’ by reporting progress against agreed stepping stones towards the goals and visions set out in five routemaps.
Visit railtechnicalstrategy.co.uk for:
the latest updates to the functional priority routemaps, including progress industry has made, success stories, and case studies in each area
technology watches on green infrastructure and earth observation via satellite, plus their potential applications to rail (coming soon).
Four years into the five-year RTS routemaps released in 2020, and with planning for research and innovation during Control Period 7 well underway, it’s time for a full refresh.
Over the next few months, the RTS Engine Room—supported by colleagues from across the industry—will review the priorities and enablers within the strategy and develop updated routemaps setting out a new selection of key stepping stones over the next five to ten years.
To get involved, contact us at RTS@rssb.co.uk.
The popular annual event will be held on 20 March 2024 in London.
The joint Vehicle/Track System Interface Committee (V/T SIC) and ADHEsion REsearch challenge (ADHERE) seminar brings together professionals from across the industry to hear from experts, researchers, and innovators. It is a unique opportunity to hear about the latest insights and solutions on the vehicle-track interface and wheel-rail adhesion.
The 2024 seminar will take place in person at RSSB’s offices in central London. It is targeted at track and rolling stock engineers, seasonal delivery specialists, academics, and anyone wishing to increase their understanding of this important area.
Alongside a packed programme, there will be opportunities to network with colleagues and engage in discussion with the speakers.
The full programme and registration details will be made available in the next few weeks at rssb.co.uk/events.
To discuss the seminar, or to find out about exhibition opportunities, contact Ben Altman, Senior Research Analyst:
Ben.Altman@rssb.co.uk
If you missed the 2023 V/T SIC and ADHERE seminar, you can still watch the presentations online at rssb.co.uk/services-and-resources/services/events-and-webinars/past-webinars.
The successful collaboration has led to real-world solutions used in today’s railway.
This autumn, we’ve been celebrating ten years of signing a formal agreement to work in a strategic partnership with the University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR).
Predicated on the value of integrating more closely RSSB’s expertise in safety modelling and the IRR’s excellence in engineering modelling, the partnership has been invaluable in bringing innovative ideas to life for the benefit of the railway.
Among many great examples, two stand out. One is Red Aspect Approaches to Signals, a tool powered by big data and complex algorithms that estimates signals displaying a red aspect as trains approach. The other is Low Adhesion Braking Dynamic Optimisation for Rolling Stock, which is a tool to simulate train braking in a variety of engineering configurations and operational scenarios.
We wish the partnership another ten years of impactful findings!
See all past and current IRR partnership research at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue (search for UOH).
To find out more about the partnership, contact Sharon Odetunde, Head of Partnerships:
Sharon.Odetunde@rssb.co.uk
Do you have a railway engineering challenge that might benefit from IRR’s expertise? Let us know!
