Rail Systems Research:(Prof MJ Griffin Theme Management)

The Centre will develop a group of academics who will, over time, provide world class railway research that will make a difference to the railway industry by facilitating improvements in capacity, reliability, safety, attractiveness and environmental impacts. During the process leading up to the preparation of this proposal we have, with the help of industry and the wider academic community, identified areas that represent gaps in current work and to which academic research can make a valuable contribution, and a diverse multi-disciplinary group of academics with a good track record in railway research or in relevant subjects, willing to work together and with industry. We have developed both a research strategy and a management structure and method of operation for the Centre, based on the four themes (Engineering interfaces; Whole system performance; Users, the community and the environment; Safety) to deliver the strategy, encourage new ideas and multi-disciplinary research collaboration. We have identified an initial (phase 1) programme of research that supports the objectives of the Centre, requires collaboration between core members, and encourages support and funding from industry. The Centre will also fund senior research fellows to provide continuity of research knowledge and improve research excellence; carry out feasibility studies to inform future research projects, disseminate knowledge through reports, papers, bibliographies and its website; establish networks of interested academics and industry to help identify research projects and encourage collaboration, ownership and uptake of the research results.