Introduction
From Luisa Moisio, Director of Research
At RSSB, we manage an extensive programme of high-quality research, touching on many aspects of railway operations and engineering. Research projects are proposed, planned, and carried out with input from organisations across the industry. These organisations generously provide access to their people, data, and sometimes assets. Industry contributions are even more important as we switch focus to real-world application of promising research findings. We are grateful to those who work with us as early adopters.
Every year, we conduct a full analysis of how our past research is being used. We look at every significant finding since 2013. From planning for take-up to wide adoption by multiple users, we plot findings along the implementation journey until they reach their full potential. By April 2024, the industry had taken up 73% (176) of our significant findings in some way.
For more information, read our annual report on the reach and impact of RSSB research: rssb.co.uk/research/how-research-delivers-benefits/demonstrating-the-success-of-research
In the ‘Ready to use’ section of this Research Highlights, we cover projects that are particularly tangible and ready to make a real difference in the short term. These include:
an update to the well-established Track Circuit Assistor – Risk Advisor Tool to cover more classes of locomotive
revisions to two widely used freight gauges to allow for more wagon/container combinations.
Have you seen something that interests you? Every story in the Research Highlights includes a contact name. Get in touch to find out more or for support in using the findings.
Luisa Moisio, Director of Research and DevelopmentLuisa.Moisio@rssb.co.uk
RSSB’s cross-industry Research Programme enables a safe and efficient railway by providing knowledge and solutions to best utilise existing assets and unlock future change.
The research challenges and opportunities we focus on require strong collaboration across the rail industry. They benefit greatly from the steer and coordination 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 owe a big thanks to many organisations across the industry that provide significant 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 Rail Technical Strategy, which comprises five functional priorities. We also research topics to help improve the health and wellbeing of railway staff and those who use the network.
Where our research specifically feeds into any of those, we use these icons.