Research in action
Retrofitting of variable-rate sanders gathers paceWhat impact does RSSB research have on the rail industry?Pantograph gauge calculator is simplifying rail electrificationNew tool for operators supports freight-friendly pathing
Research outputs taken up and ready to make a difference next autumn.
Research in 2018/19 ran full-scale testing to find sander configurations that increased wheel/rail adhesion and improved braking. We tested sanders with fixed-rate and variable-rate (changing with train speed) delivery, fitted at one and two axles. The best results came from variable-rate sanders at two axles, known as double variable-rate sanders (DVRS). DVRS significantly improve braking, offering reliable braking in low-adhesion conditions all year round.
As well as the safety improvements, DVRS can end adhesion-related delay and any need for autumn timetables. The latest Key Train Requirements document recommends DVRS for new fleets.
This year, Scotrail will specify DVRS in its procurement of new electric multiple unit and battery electric multiple unit trains.
The industry has also started to add variable-rate sanding to existing fleets. Class 323s at Northern Trains and Class 170s at Scotrail are being fitted with DVRS.
A big step forward in the wider take-up of variable sanders was Siemens’ launch of a solution for retrofitting its rolling stock. South Western Railway used this product to upgrade its Class 158 and 159 fleet to single variable-rate sanders. This setup was tested at the Rail Innovation and Development Centre at Tuxford. Tests ran in controlled low-adhesion conditions and under a range of brake applications and speeds.
The variable-rate sander was easy to fit. It bolted onto the existing sand hoppers without moving existing equipment. The sanders offer:
high sand delivery rates, up to 5 kg/min
adaptive dosing based on speed, brake demand, and adhesion conditions
an internal cleaning cycle
an optimal balance of adhesion vs. sand usage.
The benefits of these enhanced sanders will soon be seen. They will help improve service reliability for years to come, particularly in autumn.
To find out more about our research on sander configurations, go to rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue (search for T1107).
For more on how our research is tackling low adhesion, visit rssb.co.uk/research/flagship-research-activities/adhesion.
To discuss the latest thinking on sanding and other adhesion mitigations, contact Paul Gray, Professional Lead, Engineering:
Paul.Gray@rssb.co.uk
RSSB actively supports take-up of important research findings and monitors progress.
Alongside its programme of new research, RSSB supports and monitors the implementation of important findings from past research. Findings are only valuable once they are put into practice and start to deliver benefits to the rail industry. Every year, we check how implementation is going.
We call findings ‘significant’ if they can tangibly improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the rail network. We track the progress of these ‘significant findings’ through four stages:
planning
initial application
advanced use
full implementation.
Our yearly analysis helps us spot trends, improve research planning and delivery, and prioritise our support to industry in taking up findings.
Our tracking database holds 11 years of data on the journey to implementation. Out of all 417 research findings from RSSB since 2013/14, we classified 58% (240 findings) as ‘significant’. Of these:
73% (176) have been put into practice in some way by the industry.
22% (44) have reached full implementation.
Targeting take-up of the findings is designed into our research projects. We work in partnership with industry so that the benefits can be realised quickly. Our research team also works with other RSSB teams to drive improvements in health and safety through research. Similarly, it works closely with the RSSB standards team to encourage and embed innovation through standardisation.
RSSB research continues to drive impactful changes within the railway industry. Monitoring and supporting adoption by industry is a key element of this success.
Download a summary of the impact of RSSB research, including many case studies, from rssb.co.uk/research/how-research-delivers-benefits/demonstrating-the-success-of-research.
To discuss our analysis or approach to implementation, contact Robert Staunton, Research and Innovation Account Manager:
Robert.Staunton@rssb.co.uk
Initial research was built into a user-friendly tool, soon adopted across the industry.
In 2020, we developed a suite of pantograph gauges. The gauges bring together the variables and factors used in assessing whether electrification is feasible.
From this research, we developed an interactive pantograph gauge calculator. Users can input track and contact wire data to calculate a list of coordinates for the physical and electrical gauge lines.
Early users of the calculator suggested extra features to make it more useful. Enhancements in the latest version include:
additional wind speed cases
additional clearance boundaries
input and gauge parameter definition.
The pantograph gauge calculator is widely used. Adopters include key organisations such as Network Rail and original equipment manufacturers such as Siemens. It is in use at consultancies such as Atkins Global, Arup, WSP, Tata Steel, Balfour Beatty, Amey Consulting, MJ&A Engineering, and PHB Rail.
Read more about the research into pantograph gauges at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue (search for T1196).
For access to the tool and support with using it, contact Paul Gray, Professional Lead, Engineering:
Cutting journey times, fuel consumption, and emissions to increase rail freight competitiveness.
Signallers usually prioritise passenger services over freight during pathing and train regulation. The result is longer freight journey times. These slower journeys are more expensive and more polluting.
Our research took a whole-network view of giving freight trains higher priority. The results were turned into a tool to help operators make the case for prioritising freight services in timetable development. Users can more easily see the economic and environmental impacts across the network. They can also better compare the trade-offs involved in prioritising one train over another. The aim is to:
Promote smarter decision making.
Cut freight journey times.
Minimise the impact on passenger services.
The tool showed that improved pathing for Felixstowe to Trafford Park freight services can cut emissions by about 1.64 CO2e (t) per day. It can also shorten overall journey time by 4 h 02 m.
These results from a single route show the potential benefits for the sector overall. Costs could reduce by an average £4,515 per return trip, offering a significant boost to the competitiveness of rail freight. Freight-friendly pathing will support the modal shift from road to rail. It also has benefits in terms of decarbonisation and clean air.
We are now using the tool to help DB Cargo and Freightliner improve pathing. Together, we are assessing five freight flows to find efficient pathing options. The companies are working with Network Rail to secure those paths ahead of the December 2025 timetable.
Read more at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue (search for T1263).
We are happy to support any freight operator or timetable planner interested in using the tool. If you would like to find opportunities to improve pathing and regulation, contact Aaron Barrett, Head of Research Delivery:
Aaron.Barrett@rssb.co.uk