New collaboration will deliver fresh thinking for rail

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and TRL have agreed a strategic partnership to enable development and application of world class transport research, innovation and technology.

“This partnership will build on a wealth of experience in rail and transport and will enable both organisations to develop and deliver new, cost-effective, solutions to a broader transport market, as well as the international rail industry,” commented Sue Sharland, chief executive of TRL.
 
“There is the opportunity to unlock a great deal of potential within this unique combination,” says Len Porter, RSSB’s chief executive. “We have identified how knowledge can be exchanged through RSSB’s technical and research experts and TRL’s Chief Scientist network. We are also working together to share thinking between different transport modes and deliver maximum value where these overlap.”
 
The primary focus of the partnership will be:
 
• Providing broader and better access to transport, road and rail research and developing better integration of thinking to deliver real value solutions 

• Drawing together technical expertise on transport sustainability, climate change and energy issues with a focus on protecting and future-proofing critical transport networks
 
• Exploring and securing new initiatives and funding streams at an international level (both in Europe and across other parts of the world)
 
All the above will involve both organisations working together to pool thinking, jointly exploiting Intellectual Property, software development and knowledge management with opportunities already being identified for the sharing of knowledge, resources and facilities. 

Sue Sharland added: “Complementary skills, innovative thinking and the ability to link in with evolving technologies mean that both organisations can work together to deliver new and real benefits to every aspect of rail operations, as well as a broader transport market.”

For more information
Web: www.rssb.co.uk