Centres of excellence
Construction is due to start on March 1 of the first centre of excellence facility at the University of Birmingham, following the launch of the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN).
The Network is a partnership involving the rail industry and eight universities. There will be a Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems led by the University of Birmingham; a Centre of Excellence in Infrastructure (led by University of Southampton, in partnership with University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield, Loughborough University and Heriot-Watt University). and a Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock (led by University of Huddersfield, in partnership with Newcastle University and Loughborough University).
Additionally, there will be a fourth Centre of Excellence in Testing (led by Network Rail with its Rail Innovation & Development Centres, in partnership with Transport for London and Quinton Rail Technology Centre). This has been incorporated into the Network to support the delivery of the UKRRIN objectives.
Some £440 million worth of Government support has been pledged towards the plans. Rail Minister Jo Johnson was at the launch at Westminster on February 20, praising “the potential for real innovation” and that the plans were “an outstanding example of the UK’s industrial strategy”.
UKRRIN will enable the industry to access purpose-built facilities and skills in a range of areas to support research, development and innovation for new products.
The centres of excellence will be supported by the industry and are designed to also help the UK retain its place as a global leader in technology.
UKRRIN was established following a £28m bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which was backed by £60m from the rail industry.
Jo Binstead, Head of Innovation at Siemens Rail Systems and Chairman of the UKRRIN Steering Group, said: “By bringing together leading UK universities and industry, we can ensure that developments being made through academic research can be commercialised to deliver transformative changes across our railway network.”