Research in progress
What is needed to enable faster freight services?What role do weekly and periodic operating notices play in today’s railway?
Helping freight to make the best use of remote condition monitoring
Closing the PTI gap
Research is providing evidence to allow freight trains to travel at higher speeds on the GB network.
Running rail freight above the current 75 mph limit would improve network capacity and efficiency, and enable better integration with passenger services. It would also strengthen rail’s competitiveness against road transport, making rail freight a more attractive and efficient option for shippers. Any shift from road to rail also helps to meet the UK’s decarbonisation goals.
We are working with Network Rail to support the Faster Freight initiative, which aims to increase speeds above 75 mph where there is value in doing so.
Two projects are creating the essential knowledge base to determine where and how speeds above 75 mph are feasible on the GB rail network.
The first one (COF-ARF2) which is being delivered by the University of Birmingham, will develop guidance to manage aerodynamic risks for freight services operating above 75 mph.
The second (COF-HSF), which is being delivered as part of RSSB strategic partnership with University of Huddersfield, will define the wheel-rail interface and vehicle dynamics requirements for higher speeds.
Together, these two projects will provide the rules, engineering thresholds, and assessment criteria needed for safe and efficient implementation of faster freight.
Read more about the research on RSSB's research catalogue (search for COF-ARF2 or COF-HSF).
To discuss the research, contact Aaron Rostron-Barrett, Head of Research Delivery.
'There’s real opportunity for innovation to increase freight speeds in line with the capabilities of the rolling stock. This research is a big step towards supporting that aim.'
Karl Watts, Managing Director Railmotive
Looking at ways to improve the flow of important operational information to staff.
The Weekly Operating Notice (WON) and Periodic Operating Notice (PON) inform railway staff about temporary operational changes, restrictions, and other important updates. They aim to ensure that train drivers, signallers, maintenance teams, and other operational staff can act to maintain safety and efficiency.
There is a general perception that both the WON and PON are no longer fit for purpose. Anecdotally, users find it difficult to find relevant information within them, and the information contained is often communicated more effectively in other ways.
Our research seeks to understand how appropriate the notices are for conveying important information to staff who apply it.
To date, our research has reviewed the existing content of the WON and the PON. We identified where the information is sourced and how it is being collated and processed for inclusion in the publications. We are now looking at where else this information is being made available for staff to access and what other suitable channels exist.
We have engaged with WON and PON users across a variety of roles. We want to understand how they use the documents and whether the information provided is useful in their daily duties.
This work aims to ensure that operational staff receive only relevant, reliable, and consistent information that is delivered in the most effective way possible.
The project is now collating its findings and preparing a set of recommendations. Keep up to date via RSSB's research catalogue (search for T1338).
To discuss the research, contact Marcus Carmichael, Professional Lead, Operations and Performance.
Research will support the transition from routine inspection of freight vehicles to predictive maintenance, improving safety and efficiency.
Remote condition monitoring (RCM) provides continuous oversight of both rolling stock and infrastructure through train-borne and trackside systems. However, the adoption of RCM has been slower and less consistent for freight services when compared to passenger operations.
Making the best use of RCM is critical to improving network safety, performance, and asset utilisation. RCM will support the transition from routine inspections to predictive maintenance by monitoring assets such as axle bearings, wheel profiles, and brake states. Equipment failure can therefore be prevented and maintenance optimised.
Following rail freight incidents, both the Rail Accident and Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road have called on freight operators to adopt a sector-wide approach to RCM. This should cover RCM deployment, data sharing protocols, and integration of technologies.
Our research is supporting Network Rail’s Intelligent Assets Strategy. The research will standardise data architecture for RCM and inform decisions on future freight-focused RCM systems. The aim is to enhance reliability and safety across freight operations.
Keep up to date with the research project via RSSB's research catalogue (search for T1386).
We would like to speak with suppliers of freight-focused RCM as part of this work. For more information or to discuss the research, contact Aaron Rostron-Barrett, Head of Research Delivery.
Research will give the rail industry an evidence base for improving train accessibility.
Stepping arrangements between platforms and trains vary significantly across the GB network due to platform height, train floor level, and platform curvature. The horizontal and vertical gaps hinder accessible and independent boarding. They can also affect dwell times, operational performance, safety, and passenger confidence.
Previous research improved the industry’s understanding of platform-train interface (PTI) geometry and its human factors implications. However, a consistent, data-driven plan of action for independent boarding is still missing.
To support a key commitment within the Government’s Accessibility Roadmap published in November 2025, we are working with the Department for Transport and Network Rail to conduct research that will provide the evidence needed to develop this plan.
The research aims to enable practical, cost-effective interventions to be prioritised and planned in a structured, evidence-based way. The research will:
define ‘boarding categories’ that are grounded in how different passengers negotiate different stepping arrangements. Using these, we will be able to map accessibility across the network.
demonstrate how to quantify the financial, economic, and societal gains benefits of improving accessibility.
develop a framework to guide the selection of interventions at critical decision points, such as during new train procurement.
create a costed plan of action.
Together, these outputs will help the industry to accelerate progress towards independent boarding for all passengers.
Keep up to date with the research project via RSSB's research catalogue (search for T1398 and T1399).
Contact Giulia Siino, Lead Research Analyst, if you would like to join the interest group. This will give you access to regular updates and invitations to webinars and briefings.
‘Level boarding is available at just 4% of stations on the GB network. The Accessibility Roadmap sets out how we will work with RSSB and rail industry partners to identify and scope practical, cost-effective solutions for achieving level boarding across prioritised locations.
Alison Smith, Head of Accessibility & Inclusion, Network Rail
