The University of Hull has announced the launch of an exciting new company, Railwhere, which will leverage rail-tested technology to significantly enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the UK’s rail freight industry.
Railwhere is the culmination of seven years of dedicated research and innovation at the University’s Logistics Institute. The new venture will offer award-winning technology designed to help rail freight operators transport more goods at lower costs and with reduced emissions, actively promoting a vital shift of freight from road to rail.
The Logistics Institute and Lampada Digital Solutions, a subsidiary of the University, collaborated with industry partners including Network Rail and Freightliner to develop the core software. This innovative platform enables operators to route services more effectively and substantially improve the fuel and carbon efficiency of their operations. Their groundbreaking work has already garnered widespread industry recognition, demonstrating the immense value of university-industry collaborations in fostering more sustainable businesses.
Barrie Louw, Director of Railwhere, expressed his enthusiasm for the new company: “I am delighted to be leading a team whose expertise brings transformational technology to the rail freight industry. We build intuitive software that empowers the rail freight industry to plan smarter, operate cleaner, and make better-informed decisions.”
Mr Louw added: “Our software has proved its value and is now seen to be of strategic importance by our customers. In a time of economic uncertainty and significant environmental challenges it is more important than ever to make good decisions based on accurate, fast and accessible analysis.”
“The launch of Railwhere signifies our confidence that this business will be well received by the industry, can build on its successes and partnerships and will contribute to a stronger and greener rail network,” he concluded.
One notable success story involves Freightliner, which, utilising University of Hull technology and working with Innovate UK and technical specialists Aether Limited and the University of Derby, restructured the transport of quarried stone from the Mendips to Greater London. This optimisation resulted in reduced journey times, significant cuts in fuel costs, and lower emissions. Longer trains are now transporting more goods over fewer days, thereby freeing up valuable capacity and resources across the network.
This impactful work earned the team both the ‘Rail Freight Project of the Year’ and ‘Sustainability and Safety’ awards. Separately, Network Rail and Lampada also secured the ‘Rail Team of the Year’ award for their efforts in developing and implementing an application used by planners to optimise train weights.
Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, highlighted the university’s broader role: “The University of Hull plays a vital role in driving sustainable and inclusive growth, collaborating with businesses across diverse sectors, across our region, nationally and globally to shape a more resilient and inclusive future.”
Professor Petley continued: “Across the University we are building the infrastructure and networks to improve skills; to drive innovation; and to extend enterprise and business growth. Our world-class research is also identifying practical solutions to tackle the complex challenges we face around sustainability.”
“Railwhere shows what can be achieved when business, education and research work in partnership. It builds on the university’s long and proud tradition of translating our knowledge and expertise into real world solutions,” he concluded.
For more information on Railwhere, please visit www.railwhere.co.uk. Further details on research and knowledge exchange at the University of Hull can be found on their website.
