The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and UK Rail Research and Innovation Network’s (UKRRIN) Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock recently hosted a key industry event, “How can we deliver the Rail Technical Strategy 2024?” at the University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research.
The event brought together leading academics and industry experts to discuss the implementation of the Rail Technical Strategy (RTS), a crucial roadmap for the future of the UK rail industry.
RSSB’s Role in Shaping the Future of Rail
RSSB’s Director of Research, Luisa Moisio, a key stakeholder in the RTS, introduced the strategy and highlighted the organisation’s role in its development. RSSB experts also presented on a range of topics, including:
- Automated driver competency indicators
- RSSB’s Red Aspect Approach to Signals Toolkit
- Wheel impact load detector data
- Simulating braking performance for more reliable operations
RSSB’s ongoing research and collaboration with industry partners, such as UKRRIN, are essential for driving innovation and addressing the challenges facing the rail sector. By working together, these organisations can accelerate the development and implementation of new technologies and solutions.
The Importance of the RTS
The RTS outlines five functional priorities for the rail industry:
- Easy to Use for All: Improving accessibility and passenger experience.
- Freight Friendly: Enhancing freight transportation capabilities.
- Low Emissions: Reducing the environmental impact of rail operations.
- Optimised Train Operations: Maximizing the efficiency and reliability of train services.
- Efficient and Reliable Assets: Improving the performance and lifespan of rail infrastructure.
These priorities guide the industry’s focus on innovation and technological advancements.
A Collaborative Approach
Johnny Schute, RSSB’s Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘The RTS is a crucial element of the long-term strategy for rail, and RSSB continues to play a central role in developing it in collaboration with industry partners. It is an endeavour in which we take great pride, and I encourage all within the rail sector to contribute to the amazing innovation coming from the RTS.’
Luisa Moisio, RSSB’s Director of Research: ‘Improving our railway for the benefit of our customers can only be achieved through collaboration. RSSB is proud to be part of the core working group leading the refresh of the RTS. The RTS route maps represent a common agreed understanding of the areas where technical development is needed, and provide clarity on the milestones that will allow progress to be made. This is why the RTS underpins our research and innovation activities, as well as informing our standards development.
‘Academia and industry working closer together enable quicker and more innovative progress. As a proud founding member of UKRRIN and with our strategic partnership with University of Huddersfield spanning over a decade, we understand the success that can be achieved through such partnerships. They bring fresh thinking and accelerate technological progress, helping us move closer to our goals.’
The partnership between RSSB and UKRRIN exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving the future of the rail industry. By sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise, these organizations are helping to shape a more sustainable, efficient, and passenger-focused railway.
