The University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR) has changed into a Centre of Excellence to your new 90 million UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN).
The ultimate aim, pledges Rail Minister Jo Johnson, is always to give the biggest modernisation programme since Victorian times, meaning more frequent trains and quicker and even more comfortable journeys.
Within UKRRIN, the Institute of Railway Research’s task is to make a new generation of rolling stock that lasts longer, is a lot more power efficient as well as being cheaper to help maintain.
As leader of UKRRIN’S Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock, the IRR could be the conduit for about 30 million of research funding.
“It’s the largest contract we have had until now and definately will result in a real step alteration of our capabilities,” said the Institute’s Director, Professor Simon Iwnicki.
He was a student in home of Commons to your official launch of UKRRIN, a meeting that saw representatives through the industry partners and universities meet MPs and officials from many Gov departments so that you can brief them on plans for developing the new research network is undoubtedly projects which can be under way.
UKRRIN has long been established after a successful 28 million bid towards the School Funding Council for England to develop four rail Centres of Excellence, backed by commitment through the rail industry to take a position in excess of 60 million in research, development and innovation activities at these Centres in the next 10 years.
In addition for the Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock, led via the University of Huddersfield C in partnership with Newcastle University and Loughborough University C in addition there are Centres of Excellence in Digital Systems, led through the University of Birmingham, also in Infrastructure, led because of the University of Southampton.? There is also a Centre of Excellence in Testing, to remain led by Network Rail.
UKRRIN aims to produce capability of your rail sector to cultivate, deliver and deploy new technology, helping the UK maintain its position as a global leader.
A key role in UKRRIN means that the Institute at Huddersfield C within its purpose-built labs and offices C will equip itself to get a big expansion in activity.? The Institute already has facilities that come with a 4.5 million test rig that is certainly unique in Europe.? New equipment will include an extended array of full-scale advanced test rigs to accelerate the adoption of the latest technology for an additional generation of rolling stock.
Professor Iwnicki stated that the Centre works closely with large manufacturers, leading to technological breakthroughs and boosting purchase of UK manufacturing.? Also, it is anticipated the centre will complete collaborative research with smaller innovative firms that are entering the rail sector.
Rail Minister Jo Johnson said: “We are investing in the largest modernisation programme of our railways since Victorian times.
“In this, were utilising various new technology round the network and Britain is actually in the leading edge of digital signalling, very fast transport and railway infrastructure.
“New centres of excellence, combining experts, universities plus the wider rail industry might be essential in achieving our ambition to obtain all diesel-only trains journey track by 2040 in addition to delivering the advanced railway network that passengers deserve.”
