<p>Luisa Moisio, Director of Research</p>
From industry giants to innovative start-ups, from strategic leaders to front-line staff, and from university researchers to seasoned railway experts, the RSSB research programme relies on many stakeholders across the railway and beyond. This range of involvement is reflected in our new issue of Research Highlights.
Our work using Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) systems to help identify vehicle defects early is being trialled by Freightliner, VTG, and Touax. Each company receives a monthly report on wagon conditions. Their feedback will help us refine and improve how we share this insight. We welcome more freight companies wishing to join this trial.
A project to find a standard way to assess station-level improvements in terms of performance relied on input from station operators. Their help allowed us to identify best practice.
Trials of Automated Driver Competency Indicators are underway at West Midlands Trains. This will give drivers objective insights into their performance, derived from multiple data sources.
We always look to respond to and anticipate industry needs and, of course, those needs change over time. We are launching a new research programme to develop more holistic risk models. These will be able to handle the complexities and uncertainties of today and tomorrow, such as changing weather patterns and digital technologies.
Can you help us? There are invitations—in this issue and every issue of Research Highlights—to connect with those leading research, join project steering groups, and participate in events. In particular, now is an excellent moment to share your input on the refresh of the Rail Technical Strategy. And, if you’ve spotted a cross-industry problem or opportunity that would benefit from research—the kind of project that needs whole-system thinking—please get in touch.
Luisa Moisio, Director of ResearchLuisa.Moisio@rssb.co.uk
RSSB’s cross-industry Research Programme enables a safe and efficient railway. It provides knowledge and solutions to best utilise existing assets and unlock future change.
The research challenges and opportunities we focus on require strong collaboration across rail. They benefit greatly from the steer and coordination that RSSB provides, with its independence, strong technical capabilities, and world-class risk modelling and analysis expertise.
The Research Programme is predominately funded by the Department for Transport. We also rely on many organisations across the industry. Thank you to those that provide in-kind support to research, co-fund work with us, and pioneer translating the findings into positive change on the railway.
Much of our research supports the priorities in the Rail Technical Strategy. We also research topics to help improve the health and safety of railway staff and those who use the network.
Where our research specifically feeds into any of those, we use these icons.