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Functional PRIORITIES

Optimised train operations

Highly reliable train services and greater network capacity will be achieved through flexible and robust train planning and simpler and safer real-time operations. These are underpinned by a strategic approach to improving signalling and train capabilities.

Delivering a reliable railway able to recovery safety and quickly when incidents and disruptions occur is key to retaining and attracting new passenger and freight customers. This is why ‘improved recovery from incidents and disruptions’ is one of the five goals.

"The Rail Technical Strategy is crucial to leveraging the technologies and innovations we need to deliver an efficient, reliable, and sustainable railway for our customers." READ MORE

David Horne, Managing Director LNER

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Case studies

Case studies help the railway to celebrate and publicise its achievements and learn lessons in introducing new solutions. Explore the stories below and share yours at rts@rssb.co.uk.

Intelligent wagons: a low cost, flexible alternative to Digital Automatic Couplers Read more
Tracsis Bellvedi’s ATTUne4C Delivers New Tools for More Responsive Train Planning Read more
Innovative Western Route pilot achieves significant benefits from Traffic Management and Crew & Stock integration Read more
Simulating passenger movement at the Platform Train interface to understand the impact of station design on dwell time Read more
Using cryogenic rail head cleaning to tackle leaves on the line Read more
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games: modernising rail networks without disrupting passengers Read more
Responsive and agile freight pathing opportunities Read more
Using AI to improve punctuality and minimise the effects of disruption and its impact on passengers Read more
The Seasonal Intelligence Platform: tackling the autumn adhesion challenge Read more
Strategic decision-making support to reduce the impact of delays Read more
Degraded Mode Working System (DMWS) Read more
Thameslink core Read more
Driver Advisory Systems (DAS) Read more

Who is doing what?

Many research and innovation activities support progress towards the goals set out for this priority. Visibility of these is essential to enable greater collaboration and increase the likelihood of success. This is why the RTS puts a spotlight on a selection of these activities, enables you to download the full list of activities of which we are aware, and invites you to add to this picture by sharing your own work.

Red Aspects BY Train Services (RABYTS)

RSSB and the University of Huddersfield are working together to explore alternative means of analysing red approach data by train journey and service delays.

More responsive train planning - ATTUne4C

Tracsis Bellvedi used RSSB innovation funding to develop new capabilities to support Very Short Term Planning and automatic initiation of contingency plans tailored to different operational scenarios.

Digital Automatic Coupling on the GB network

An RSSB provided insights into the costs and benefits of introducing digital automatic coupling, to inform future decisions.

NR+ Integrated Digitised Rail Infrastructure Platform

University of Hull project to demonstrate the rail freight planning process on an integrated digital Network Rail Plus Suite of products made up of infrastructure (NR+IP), integration services (NR+IS) and apps (NR+App) (218)

In-service trial of Double Variable Rate Sanders

To encourage early adopters of Double Variable Rate Sanders (DVRS) in the GB rail industry, RSSB worked with industry to equip two multiple units to collect data to demonstrate in-service benefits.

Enabling better planning and resource management during disruption

RSSB have produced and will soon pilot good practice guidance and toolkits to enable better contingency planning, resource utilisation during disruption and control competence, identifying quick wins ready for industry use.

Low adhesion braking model

The University of Huddersfield and RSSB have developed a computer simulation tool for the braking performance and behaviours of a whole train in low adhesion conditions and in normal wheel-rail conditions.

Target 190plus

Network Rail R&D programme aligned with the Rail Sector Deal, looking at addressing the sustainability of future signalling systems on the GB network. It aims to provide the capability to enable safe, affordable and deliverable signalling to meet future demands.

ASSIGN

ASSIGN (Advisory System for SIGNallers for improved User Worked Crossing Resilience) developed by Thales to validate decisions and give greater resilience to infrastructure.

Rail Performance Modelling for Strategic Decision Making

Risk Solutions have delivered a rail incident simulation and performance system to identify root causes of delays and poor performance, and test improvement strategies.

Future Railway Mobile Communication System

FRMCS is the future worldwide telecommunication system developed by international stakeholders, including Network Rail, as the successor of GSM-R and a key enabler for rail transport digitalisation.

Download the full list

Share what you are working on

Help keep the industry up to date with progress by sharing your research and innovation activities that are relevant to this priority.



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