ACADEMIC CAPABILITIES

University of Birmingham

Birmingham Centre of Railway Research and Education (BCRRE)

Overview

From training engineers to developing world-leading technologies, BCRRE collaborate with industry and academia to drive UK and global rail innovation.

RTS PRIORITY AREAS

Centres of Excellence / Research Groups

UKRRIN Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems – Lead

Test facilities

  • Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel

  • Environment for Academic Research

  • Transient Railway Aerodynamics Investigation Rig

  • Simulation labs

  • Pantograph rig

  • Wheelset kit

  • Robot arm

  • Battery cycler

  • Downburst generator

  • Geotechnical labs

  • Dynanometer

Research themes

Topic: Railway Control and Operations Simulation
Summary:

We develop advanced railway traffic management systems to make better use of existing rolling stock and infrastructure and to manage disruptions and includes:

  • Macroscopic and microscopic railway research simulator development. We have developed a comprehensive scaleable railway simulator for analysing and evaluating all types of railway networks, signalling technologies, operational rules and timetables. It can integrate with other tools and import and respond to relevant data feeds dynamically during simulation.
  • Traffic Management Research including advanced algorithm development, the application of driver advisory systems; simulation, testing and evaluation of railway traffic management systems and research on standards for next generation railway traffic management.
  • Railway system optimisation for energy saving, power system sizing and railway wireless data communication system optimisation.
  • Simulation and lab testing for railway systems design validation and verification; and hardware in-loop testing.
Project examples: *Capacity4Rail - SP3 (EU FP7) *Developing and evaluating dynamic optimisation for train control systems - DEDOTS (EPSRC) *OnTime (EU) *Network Rail / Abtus

Fact File (2019-20)

48 Research staff
102 PhD students
48 Masters students

Capability matrix

From training engineers to developing world-leading technologies, BCRRE collaborate with industry and academia to drive UK and global rail innovation.
CAPABILITY
CAPABILITY LEVEL
Infrastructure
Electrification
Track Design and Components
Structures
Earthworks and geotechnics
Control, command and signalling
Communication networks and technologies
Station design
Depots / yards
infrastructure testing
Condition monitoring and inspection
Asset management
Maintenance
Other
Rolling Stock
Component design
Structures and crashworthiness
Testing
Maintenance
Condition monitoring and inspection
Asset management
Comfort / ride quality
Traction / train borne energy
Onboard IT
Train control and onboard diagnosis
Fire performance
Braking systems
Pantograph dynamics
Operations
Train control and signalling
Level crossings / road-rail interfaces
Traffic management
Timetable optimisation
Revenue management
Telematics / data structures
Customer services for passengers
Customer services for freight
Safety management
Security management
Station management
Other
Technical systems integration and interaction
Aerodynamics
Noise and vibration
Electromagnetic Compatibility
Pantograph catenary interaction
3rd rail collector shoe interaction
Wheel rail interface
Vehicle track dynamics
Whole system design and modelling
Whole system reliability
Cross-system technologies
Other
Weather and climate change
Adaptation to climate change
Extreme temperatures
Flooding
Extreme precipitation
High winds
Met Office Collaboration, and De-icing Switches and Third Rail
Human Factors
Human performance
Selection and training
Health
Human reliability
Job design
Environmental design
Attitudes and behaviours
Introduction of new technology
Policy and decision making
Risk evaluation and assessment
Interoperability
Economic analysis and evaluation
Sustainable development
Enabling Innovation
Market research
Social dynamics of transport
Commercial dynamics of transport
Legal and regulatory frameworks
Other

Education and Professional Development

Undergraduate Courses

Civil and Railway Engineering Beng

Civil and Railway Engineering Meng

Electrical and Railway Engineering Beng

Postgraduate Courses

Railway Systems Engineering and Integration Masters/MSc/Diploma/Certificate

Railway safety and control systems Msc/Diploma/Certificate/Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship

Digital Railway Leadership PGCertificate and PG Diploma

Railway Systems add Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship

Railway Control and Communications MSc

PhD opportunitiesYes

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses

Railway Operations and Control Systems Design

Strategic Business Management for Railways

Practical Ergonomics for Railway Systems

Railway Traction and Electrification Systems

Rolling Stock Infrastructure and Interactions

Location key contacts

Name: Kevin Blacktop, Head of Delivery at the BCRRE
Email: K.A.Blacktop@bham.ac.uk

Website

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Facilities