Guide to Cross-Industry
Research Programme
Who we are
RSSB is an expert body with a wide range of
knowledge, skills and experience. We’re part of the
industry, non-profit making and independent of any
commercial interests. We span the whole system, and
our membership includes: infrastructure companies,
passenger and freight train operators, rolling stock
owners and suppliers to the industry.
Our research programme is cross-industry and multidisciplinary, and is driven by the needs and aspirations
of the railway.
It draws on our own expertise, as well as that of
members, universities and private sector partners.
We identify gaps in existing knowledge, develop
specifications and business cases to undertake
research, and provide the technical and project
management capability to deliver and monitor it.
DfT provide core funding, which is supplemented with
co-funding from research councils, industry partners
and other funders.
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Cross-industry
Knowledge sharing
Multi-disciplinary
Value for money
Industry
stakeholders
RSSB
technical
specialists
RSSB core
research
team
University
and private
sector delivery
partners
Funding
partners
Collaborative working
through research delivery,
communication and
implementation
Research outcomes:
• Industry using new knowledge and tools
• Technology moved to demonstration
• Informed ‘no change’ decision
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Scope of the programme
The programme addresses a range of topics and industry
objectives, working with many different partners.
TOPICS
WHAT
WE DO
OUTPUTS
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Vehicle track interaction
Sustainability
Rolling stock
Infrastructure
Public behaviour
Command, control and signalling
Health and wellbeing
Energy
Safety policy and risk management
Workforce development
Road rail interface
Strategic research
Tactical research
Knowledge services
RRUKA
SPARK
This research aims to
support delivery of the
vision set out in the Rail
Technical Strategy and
the long term objectives
set by other cross-industry
initiatives. It delivers bluesky thinking and feasibility
studies that underpin and
steer such radical change.
This research aims to
support industry with
today’s problems and
opportunities. It delivers
tactical and incremental
solutions that build on
and improve the way the
railway currently operates.
Knowledge and technology
transfer services are there to
make existing knowledge and
technological developments in
other industries and countries
more accessible to the rail
industry. Knowledge analysis
helps to shape new research,
development and innovation
projects to maximise the
benefit to industry from
existing knowledge and
to avoid duplication.
Recognising the potential
contribution that the
academic community can
make to rail innovation,
RSSB and Network Rail
co-fund Rail Research UK
Association (RRUKA) as
a bridge between industry
and academia which brings
together those who do
research with those who
can use and fund it. SPARK​is a knowledge
sharing tool for the rail
industry. It gives you access
to a wide range of research
related publications and
information. SPARK allows
you to promote your own
R&D projects, network with
others, and helps you to
understand who is doing
what, where. SPARK is free
and open to all.
Increase
capacity
Reduce
cost
Improve customer
satisfaction
Reduce carbon and enhance
industry’s environmental credentials
Improve
safety
Improve train
service reliability
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Benefits of the
programme
Completed research projects
Investigating the economics of the 3rd rail DC system
compared to other electrification systems (T950) provided
objective input into an industry decision on electrification
options for the DC network, with the potential to save
£2bn in future capital and operational costs.
REPOINT is a radical new points
technology using ‘failsafe’ design
principles to cut disruption due to
points failures, reduce maintenance
costs and facilitate capacity
enhancements by faster switching.
Started as an academic feasibility
study and supported through
demonstration by the Future
Railway programme, this project
has potential benefit for the GB
and global rail industry.
Driver training review
(T1016), developed new
driver training courses
that could bring up to
£22.5m of benefits to
the industry each year.
• More licensed
drivers available
to meet demand
• Reduced dependency
on overtime working
• More effective use of
resources with training
materials maintained
by RSSB
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Review of the risks and opportunities from the
application of sand during braking (T1046)
has established optimal sanding criteria to
mitigate low-adhesion issues. This could deliver
a significant reduction in low-adhesion SPADs.
The project also identified track circuits that
would reduce the rate of wrong side track circuit
failure from contamination by 90%.
Mechanisms for
delivering research
Depending on the issue and its
technology readiness level and on the
size of the project, there are five main
mechanisms by which strategic and
tactical research can be delivered.
£
£
£
Directly managed research
Much of the programme is delivered through
research which is procured from private sector
partners or RSSB experts clearly specified in
collaboration with an industry steering group.
Strategic partnerships
Partnerships with research councils and
Universities strengthen RSSB capabilities.
Together we deliver substantial pieces of
research, benefitting from their expertise
and facilities, and leveraging funds.
Academic feasibility study
Through RRUKA, RSSB works with the
academic community to carry out feasibility
studies on a range of topics where blue sky
research is needed.
Strategic partnerships
Doctoral research
RSSB supports a number of PhDs in areas
where fundamental research is needed these
are often co-funded with research councils
and other partners.
Directly managed
research
Doctoral
research
Academic
feasibility study
£
Technology Readiness Level
Grant
scheme
Grant scheme
Primarily aimed at projects with a more direct
route to industry application, the grant is
intended to help individual RSSB members
overcome obstacles to carrying out and
implementing R&D. Where appropriate,
RSSB provides up to half of the total cost of
the project, with the member consortium
contributing at least 20% in cash and the
remainder in kind.
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The research
process
Decision
to fund
Research
ideas
RSSB’s research programme is driven
by the rail industry’s needs. We receive
and review hundreds of ideas each year.
Ideas can come from anywhere and
they undergo an initial assessment to
understand their merit and whether and
how they can be progressed.
Defining
the research
Delivering
a project
Dissemination
of findings
A successful idea becomes a fully
defined research project with a detailed
case for research, including:
Work begins when an idea has secured
funding. While the delivery of each project varies,
every project will have a project steering group.
Throughout the project, this group helps to:
Research findings are shared with relevant
industry partners and published on the
SPARK web portal and the RSSB website.
The journey does not finish with the findings.
We work closely with our members and other
partners to ensure that recommendations
reach the right people and make a real
difference. As part of the implementation
planning process we work with partners,
both internally (e.g. innovation and technical
teams) and externally (e.g. infrastructure
managers, suppliers, train operators) to make
sure research has the desired impact.
•A
business case outlining the costs
and benefits
•A
work specification or call for delivering
the research
•A
n implementation plan detailing how
the research findings will be used
• A
proposed delivery mechanism such
as a call for feasibility studies or directly
managed project
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Research
completed
• Keep the project on-track (time, cost,
quality constraints)
• K eep the project informed of, and relevant
to, wider industry activities and interests
• S hape, review and endorse the project
deliverables/outputs
• P repare for implementation – including
planning communication activities
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Implementation
of findings
We work closely with industry stakeholders to plan for implementation.
A clear overall end point to which the project is contributing is identified
early in the research process.
Idea
Project start
Project
completion
Implementation planning starts early in the project lifecycle.
• Clarity on expected key implementable outcomes
• Roadmap for implementation
• Actions, timeframe and success criteria
• Identify barriers and activities to overcome these
• Communication plan
• Industry support for plan; defined roles & responsibilities
When a project is completed industry stakeholders
work towards achieving the overall end goal.
Implementation activities:
• Secure funding (where required)
• Operational changes, training, procurement etc.
• Collaboration with RSSB and other industry parties
to overcome barriers to change
RSSB facilitate the implementation process through a range
of enabling activities to support industry overcome barriers.
Communication
Trials
Standards
Lobbying
Safety case
Business
case
Industry success is measured through the ongoing monitoring
of completed projects with high potential impact.
• Comparison of progress against plan and success criteria
• Regular updates from industry
• Project and thematic level analysis of implementation progress
• Quantification of realised benefit
• Sharing of case studies
• Further implementation support from RSSB if required
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Frequently asked
questions
Who can propose an idea for research?
Ideas for research can come from anywhere. Wherever an idea originates,
a cross-industry group will need to build consensus for the ‘case for research’:
the need for the research; its content and how it should be delivered; likelihood
of successful delivery and implementation; and its likely rewards.
What is my role in the research as an idea proposer?
The role of an idea proposer can vary depending on the nature of the
project. In some cases the idea proposer is best placed to act as an
industry champion or sit on the project steering group.
How will the research be funded?
Projects can be directly funded by RSSB through a range of means.
Projects can also be co-funded, either with industry partners or other
research bodies. We work hard to seek out the most appropriate means
to achieve the best results and reduce costs.
If the research is carried out, how can I find the results?
Research briefs and reports are available through the SPARK web
portal www.sparkrail.org
Who can I contact for help?
Your first point of contact is the RSSB enquiry desk. Your request will then be
sent to one of the Professional Leads within the research and development
team. The Professional Leads for Operations and Engineering are railway
experts with clear visibility of the research portfolio and strategy.
Where do I go for more info?
Visit www.rssb.co.uk to find out more about our current activities. The SPARK
web portal is a great way to find out more about past and current research
projects. Specific questions can be directed to the RSSB enquiry desk.
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The enquiry desk offers advice on technical issues and
guidance on the range of RSSB products and services.
Email: enquirydesk@rssb.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3142 5400
Twitter: @RSSB_rail
www.rssb.co.uk | www.sparkrail.org | www.rruka.org.uk
RSSB, The Helicon, 1 South Place
London EC2M 2RB
Suggest
an idea
Request a
knowledge search
Apply for a
research grant
www.rssb.co.uk/research-development-and-innovation
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