The UK rail industry is undergoing a transformative journey, and at the heart of it lies the Rail Technical Strategy (RTS)—a collaborative framework designed to unify stakeholders, drive innovation, and deliver a shared vision for the future of rail. In a recent session led by Gareth Evans (Head of Rail Technology, Network Rail) and Louisa Moisio (Director of Research, RSSB), industry leaders explored how the RTS is evolving and actively shaping investment, particularly in the freight sector.
Why the RTS Matters
Rail is vital to the UK’s economy, enabling social mobility, reducing emissions, and supporting regional growth. But it’s also a fragmented industry, with multiple organisations operating across devolved structures. The RTS provides a shared vision and a strategic roadmap to align efforts across the sector.
Gareth described the RTS as more than a document—it’s a living strategy endorsed by senior leaders and actively used to guide R&D, investment, and policy decisions.
“It’s not shelfware. It’s a commitment to progress, collaboration, and innovation.”
Freight-Friendly Rail: A Strategic Priority
One of the most exciting developments in the RTS is the freight-friendly priority, introduced in May last year. With the UK government targeting a 75% increase in freight traffic by 2050, the RTS outlines stepping stones to make the network more accessible, resilient, and efficient for freight.
Key goals include:
- Increasing network access for heavier and faster freight.
- Improving planning tools for short-, medium-, and long-term freight routing.
- Enhancing infrastructure compatibility and operational flexibility.
Collaboration at Scale
Louisa highlighted how five major funding bodies—including RSSB, Network Rail, and Great British Railways—have come together to coordinate R&D investment. This collective approach ensures that projects are aligned with RTS goals and backed by the right sponsors.
The freight strategy is supported by:
- The Freight Safety Group.
- The Faster Freight Industry Group.
- Joint R&D boards involving public and private stakeholders.
This collaboration enables gap analysis, identifies critical milestones, and ensures that innovation is deployed effectively across the network.
Building an Innovation Culture
Louisa also introduced a framework for fostering an effective innovation culture in rail. This includes:
- A common language for navigating the innovation journey.
- Clear roles for challenge owners, buyers, adopters, funders, and developers.
- Structured engagement to accelerate adoption and reduce barriers.
A case study on low-cost signaling solutions for freight terminals illustrated how this framework helps teams think through practical implementation, stakeholder alignment, and urgency.
What’s Next?
The RTS is already influencing investment decisions for Control Period 7 (CP7) and is being used to shape funding requests for CP8 (2029–2034). Network Rail and RSSB are working together to ensure future plans align with RTS stepping stones and long-term goals.
As Gareth put it:
“The RTS helps us ask the right questions, find the right solutions, and take those ideas to our funders with clarity and purpose.”
Final Thoughts
The RTS is a powerful tool for driving change in the UK rail industry. But its success depends on engagement, awareness, and collaboration. Whether you're a policymaker, engineer, researcher, or operator, there’s a role for you in shaping the future of rail.
If you haven’t explored the RTS yet, now’s the time. Visit the RTS website to learn more, get involved, and help build a smarter, greener, and more connected railway.
If you want to watch our talk you can find below: