The Transport Knowledge Technical Network are working with Jim Lupton and the Railway Industry Association

on an 'Unlocking Innovation in Rail' programme.  Jim is specifically reaching out to the colleagues in the rail industry to assisting in finding some new faces to help the train operating companies (e.g. ATOC) find solutions to the problems associated with braking and accelerating of trains.  This includes but is not limited to the problems of “leaves on the line” - moisture/leaves etc.  If you think what those sorts of weather conditions do if you’re in a car - when you brake or when you try and accelerate - your wheels spin.  Bad enough in a car, but on a track, where you can’t deviate, and your momentum is so much greater, and you’re on a timetable where seconds mean money, and safety is paramount…..  So, if they can get a sense of what the condition of the track is all the way along it, or if they can affect the condition before they go over it, then they can automatically manage the braking and acceleration to be appropriate to the conditions. 



More information on the programme and how to engage can be found here and the team would very much like to hear from interested individuals. 



You can also contact Tessa Darley at the Transport KTN to discuss further.