Research in progress
Making best use of the available traction powerCan we simplify single line working?Managing the risks of traction batteriesKeeping passengers cosy on a net-zero railway
Optimising and standardising power settings on electric trains would unlock efficiencies.
Traction power settings on electric rolling stock operating on the 25 kV alternating current power network have changed over time. A mix of ages of rolling stock and electrical infrastructure means that different traction power settings are in use around the network.
Accommodating all these variations does not make the best use of available traction power. Better understanding and consistency could bring improved system capacity and performance.
We are investigating the feasibility and potential benefits of reconfiguring traction power settings, such as maximum train current, voltage regulation curves, and power frequency harmonics.
Potential benefits from changing power settings include:
greater acceleration and improved journey times
increased capacity
reduced overall energy consumption per journey.
Stay up to date with the project at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1331.
The research team continues to actively engage with rolling stock manufacturers and owners to gather and validate data on power settings. Please get in touch if you can help. Contact Mark Hanham, Senior Research Analyst:
Mark.Hanham@rssb.co.uk
Research aims to make it quicker and easier to keep trains moving around line blockages.
Managing railway operations requires careful planning and execution. During disruption, a key challenge arises when trains must run in the opposite direction on a line signalled for one-way traffic. This is typically done to keep services running in both directions when there is a blockage on the adjacent line.
Rule Book module P1 outlines Single Line Working (SLW), a degraded working method that enables bi-directional train movements on a line signalled for one direction. Unlike other options, which require additional infrastructure, SLW can be implemented through operational processes alone.
However, SLW is now used less frequently than in the past. SLW is generally seen as too complex to set up and too resource-intensive to operate. Instead, train services are often suspended, leading to cancellations that affects passengers and freight users.
Our research aims to identify the key risks associated with bi-directional train operations on a single-direction-signalled line. It will then explore how modern infrastructure and rolling stock capabilities can mitigate these risks, developing a new, practical approach to degraded working. This approach is intended to provide a quicker, more effective response to disruption, reducing operational complexity and resource demands.
Keep up to date with the project at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1354.
Contact Marcus Carmichael, Professional Lead Operations and Performance, with any queries:
Marcus.Carmichael@rssb.co.uk
Informing standards on lithium-ion battery containment to mitigate the effects of fire.
The rail industry has started using large lithium-ion batteries to provide traction for passenger and freight services. They offer a way to decarbonise the non-electrified routes of the rail network, bringing environmental benefits, including improved air quality in stations.
However, damage, degradation, or poor charging management of a lithium-ion battery could cause thermal runaway, leading to an extreme temperature rise. Lithium-ion batteries are composed of materials that self-sustain a fire, making them difficult to extinguish once ignited. A containment breach has safety implications for staff and passengers. It could also cause asset loss; replacing a battery-powered locomotive costs over £5 million. Significant disruptions from infrastructure damage are also likely.
We will collate available data on the thermal runaway temperatures of large lithium-ion batteries and the thermal properties of containment barriers. This data will show us whether and with what consequences a lithium-ion battery could breach current containment provision on rolling stock. Findings will likely vary with battery size, orientation, design, and chemical composition.
Introductions of new battery-powered rolling stock are likely to increase sharply in the near future. Using this research to make containment requirements evidence-based could improve safety at the design level, which is easier and less expensive than introducing mitigations to existing rolling stock.
Keep up to date with the project at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1367.
To discuss joining the steering group for this project, contact Tom Preece, Research Analyst:
Tom.Preece@rssb.co.uk
Traditional train heating systems are energy intensive. We are looking at innovative, low-emission alternatives.
One key challenge of the transition to a net zero carbon railway is reducing the energy consumption in trains. Heating and ventilation (HVAC) systems are one of the largest energy drains on rolling stock during operation. So, any opportunity to reduce the energy HVAC demands can deliver both monetary and carbon benefits. On battery trains, where efficient energy use is critical for maximising range and reducing operational costs, such reductions would be particularly important.
Traditional heating systems are energy intensive and not suitable for battery-operated trains due to their limited energy storage. Heating systems in existing rolling stock are also costly and complex to maintain.
The research aims to identify alternative heating technologies that:
reduce energy consumption while maintaining passenger comfort
are cost effective to implement across different train types.
We will conduct a detailed review of innovative heating technologies used in rail and other transport sectors globally. Their feasibility will be assessed for use on the passenger fleet, including battery and hybrid trains.
This work will provide practical insights to help industry balance energy efficiency, passenger comfort, and operational resilience.
Keep up to date with the project at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1369.
To discuss joining the steering group for this project, contact Christopher Sargeant, Research Analyst:
Christopher.Sargeant@rssb.co.uk
