UK rail industry and universities launch network to shape future railways

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The UK rail industry has launched four Centres of Excellence with UK universities that are expected to help shape the global future of railways.

Covering rolling stock, infrastructure, digital systems and testing, the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) has been established to give the rail industry access to purpose-built facilities and skills to support research, development and innovation for new technologies and products.

Southampton University will lead the Centre of Excellence in Infrastructure. Three other centres will focus on Digital Systems (led by Birmingham University), Rolling Stock (led by Huddersfield University) and Testing (led by Network Rail with their Rail Innovation & Development Centres).

Prof Clive Roberts, director of the Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education at Birmingham University said: “This launch is the official beginning of an innovative partnership, and we look forward to reinforcing the UK as the world-leading centre of rail innovation.”

UKRRIN has been established following a successful £28m bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for England and is backed by a commitment from the rail industry to invest over £60m in research, development and innovation activities at these Centres over the next ten years.

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