What are the opportunities for improving cost efficiencies and enhancing financial sustainability of rail?

Background

The grow and level up the economy strategic priority is at the heart of the government’s agenda to spread opportunity across the UK. Transport has a crucial role to play, whether it be through improving connectivity across the United Kingdom and growing the economy by enhancing the transport network, on time and on budget. DfT has a number of specific interests in this space, notably our infrastructure projects, Places for Growth and our apprenticeships and skills work.

Next steps

Get in touch with bridgetoresearch@dft.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DFT-Areas of research interest 2023 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Copy of RRUK 2: Universities' Centre for Rail Systems Research

    Railways have a vital role in any 21st century transport policy. No other form of transport could cope with the large numbers of people transported into and around major cities every day by commuter railways and metro sy...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Southampton

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on improving cost efficiencies and enhancing financial sustainability of rail.

  • The University of Nottingham and Resonate Group Limited

    To develop a predictive model of the rail network which focuses on forecast outcomes across a range of business and customer service objectives. To develop advanced statistical analysis and modelling/simulation technique...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on developing a predictive model of the rail network, which partially addresses the question.

  • Revolution Very Light Rail Commercialisation

    Governments have recognised that the continued dependence on the motor vehicle is unsustainable and that modal shift to low and zero-carbon public transport solutions, both for passengers and freight, is essential if leg...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: TDI GROUP LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on improving cost efficiencies and enhancing financial sustainability of rail through the commercialization of a sustainable and low-cost rail passenger experience.

  • Overcoming Capacity Constraints - A Simulation Integrated with Optimisation for Nodes (OCCASION)

    The OCCASION project brings together the University of Southampton's expertise in railway simulation and control (Transportation Research Group) with more generic expertise in operational research (Centre for Operational...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Southampton

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on overcoming capacity constraints in rail, which partially addresses the question.

  • AEGIS

    With the world pushing towards a global carbon neutral society, rail travel will need to become a staple part of people's daily commutes. For this to ever to come to fruition, improvements to rail travel must be made and...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: INCREMENTAL SOLUTIONS LTD

  • Train unit scheduling optimisation

    Efficient passenger rail is a key factor of success for the UK economy. Growing and modernising the UK rail infrastructure such as the HS2, Crossrail and many other projects must be complemented by optimised operations p...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Leeds

  • SBRI: FOAK 2022 Optimising Railway Possessions

    One of the biggest challenges facing the railway industry is the complex process of planning and possession management. The logistics of diverting, blocking, or closing sections of track can have implications across the ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: FRAZER-NASH CONSULTANCY LIMITED

  • Connected and Coordinated Train Operation and Traction Power Supply Systems (COOPS)

    The British railway transport demand is forecast to increase by around 40% by 2040, as a result of population growth, socio-economic globalisation and sustainable mobility decarbonisation. The enhancement of capacity and...

    Funded by: UKRI

    Lead research organisation: University of Birmingham

  • Manchester Metropolitan University and RASIC Limited

    To develop an operationalisation management strategy for the deployment of technology solutions in the rail sector....

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it focuses on technology solutions in the rail sector, but does not directly address cost efficiencies or financial sustainability.

  • Waybeam Track System

    Waybeam is an engineering technology in the rail sector and a business-focused attempt to change current thinking which applies heavy rail technology and standards to all non-light rail projects, regardless of suitabilit...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: CARPET TRACK LIMITED