Capability Statement

Our UK based, brake system technology, WSPER (wheel slide protection evaluation rig), provides an objective and independent method of testing braking performance in low adhesion situations. The WSPER facility is a real time ‘hardware in the loop’ simulation facility and is used by railway organisations and OEMs to evaluate the low adhesion braking performance of their braking systems, as well as low adhesion mitigation equipment, such as sanding. Combined with the real track based adhesion profiles, the WSPER facility has gained recognition in the UK and overseas for its ability to accurately represent the low adhesion behaviours observed in service. Benefits of using WSPER include: Improved operational safety due a reduction in poor brake performance incidents; Improved vehicle availability; Reduced whole life maintenance costs of wheelsets; Consistently maximised braking capability in all adhesion conditions; Simplification of obtaining product approval; Reduced cost and time savings compared to track testing.