9 July 2012
New agreement to SPARK global knowledge sharing
Sharing and accessing intelligence about rail research and innovation around the world
is set to become easier and more effective.
RSSB has entered into a partnership with the International Union of Railways (UIC) to
share knowledge more proactively and efficiently. Following an evaluation process the
UIC has chosen the British web innovation, SPARK, as the platform to create its
international knowledge sharing capability for research.
The partnership is established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by
RSSB and UIC, which will see the on-line knowledge sharing platform ‘SPARK’, link in
to a new ‘Railway Research’ web portal hosted by UIC on behalf of the International
Rail Research Board (IRRB).
Starting life as a British-based initiative sponsored by the GB rail industry, SPARK
(http://spark.rssb.co.uk) provides a way for the rail sector and others to work together
and share knowledge more efficiently on-line, with the aim to reduce duplication, speed
up innovation and maximise value. Researchers, innovators and decision makers in rail
companies, universities and wider communities are able to upload and share
information. This could be work they encounter, own or are undertaking, and means
users can find answers to their challenges which others have already found. Altogether
it makes SPARK a gateway to valuable knowledge across many different railway
engineering, operations and management topics.
Now the new agreement with UIC sees SPARK developing an enhanced, international
shop-window, enabling an even bigger on-line ‘knowledge community’, drawing on the
combined wisdom from railway administrations and centres of excellence from across
the globe.
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 3142 5301 www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY Registered in England No. 04655675
RSSB’s head of research and development Guy Woodroffe explains:
‘Innovation is recognised as being crucial for the railways and our members in the GB
rail industry have got a new, stronger appetite to boost it and generate new solutions.
But for this to happen, it needs to have efficient access to what it already knows,
whether that’s existing reports, sources of data, details of centres of expertise and so
forth. Yet knowledge sits with different people in different organisations, who may not
be well-connected. SPARK is like an on-line library and social network all wrapped into
one. It allows professionals and experts to get connected and share what they know.
‘The benefit of the new alliance for UIC and its members is taking advantage of the
SPARK network and platform off-the-shelf, and helping to prevent “wheel reinvention”
and duplication of different portals, libraries and extranets.
‘The benefit to members of RSSB is the opening up of knowledge sharing to an array of
different railway administrations, agencies, companies, organisations, putting in reach a
large number of subject matter experts and researchers across the world.
We welcome the new agreement with UIC and look forward to working with them to help
the railways innovate and grow.’
During the development phase in 2012, access to SPARK is available to RSSB
members, knowledge sharing partners and registered researchers in the Rail Research
UK Association (RRUKA). From January 2013 onwards, the UIC’s IRRB will have a
platform in SPARK for sharing between its members and more widely. In addition, a
new ‘reader access’ level in SPARK will be opened up to all.
For further information, please contact:
RSSB press office
Tel 020 3142 5332 / 5331 or email pressoffice@rssb.co.uk or visit www.rssb.co.uk
-Ends-
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 3142 5301 www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY Registered in England No. 04655675
Notes to Editors
1. SPARK (Sharing Portal for Access to Rail Knowledge) is a user password-protected website for
rail professionals and experts to upload and access knowledge about data, initiatives, research
and centres of excellence. It went live in November 2011 and now has about 500 users and
almost 2,000 records of information. It is managed by RSSB on behalf of the GB rail industry,
and can be accessed by professionals and experts who are:
 Employed by an RSSB member company or RSSB itself
 Members of a recognised cross-industry group
 In an organisation which has a knowledge sharing agreement with RSSB
2. The Memorandum of Understanding between RSSB and UIC was signed on 1 June 2012 and
sets out formal arrangements for the partnership to develop and deliver a knowledge sharing
platform that will provide access to rail research and other relevant knowledge, for the benefit of
the members of RSSB, UIC and the global rail community. It provides a framework for how the
two partners will agree, develop and deliver enhancements to the existing knowledge sharing
platform, SPARK. From January 2013 onwards, the UIC’s IRRB will have a platform in SPARK
for sharing between its members and more widely.
3. RSSB builds industry-wide consensus and facilitates the resolution of difficult cross-industry
issues. It provides knowledge, analysis, a substantial level of technical expertise and powerful
information and risk management tools. This delivers a unique mix to the industry across a whole
range of subject areas – with the aim of:
 Where reasonably practicable, continuously improving the level of safety in the rail
industry
 Driving out unnecessary cost
 Improving business performance
4. RSSB manages the DfT funded cross industry research and development programme, which
covers ‘systems’ issues across the railway, engineering interfaces within the railway, and
interfaces with other parts of the community and society. RSSB supports the development of a
future vision for the railways through its Technical Strategy Leadership Group. For further
information please visit: www.rssb.co.uk.
5. UIC, the international railway association, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2012, counts
200 members across 5 continents (railway companies, infrastructure managers, rail related
transport operators, etc.). UIC’s members represent 1 million kilometres of lines, 2,800 billion
passenger-km, 9,500 billion tonne-km, and a workforce of 6.7 million people. UIC’s chief task is to
promote railway transport around the world and help its members to meet all the current and
future challenges of mobility and sustainable development. UIC’s cooperative undertakings aim to
boost the railway system’s competitiveness and interoperability, particularly on an international
scale. The 700 technical leaflets which make up the ‘UIC Code’ constitute a technical benchmark
across the globe. UIC also comprises 8 forums and cooperation platforms, 6 regional assemblies,
30 study bodies coordinating circa 180 railway projects, world congresses, conferences and
information sessions organised each year, as well as a host of services offered to its members.
For further information, visit www.uic.org
6. The International Railway Research Board (IRRB) was initiated by the UIC World Executive
Council aiming at developing all possible synergies in the field of railway research. It is designed
to promote R&D activities amongst UIC member companies and member research organisations
– RSSB is such a member. For further information, visit www.railway-research.org
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 3142 5301 www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY Registered in England No. 04655675