UK’s £5M Rail Innovation Fund: 26 Projects, FOAK

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Introduction

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £5m ($6.7m) to support 26 projects aimed at enhancing the passenger experience on the railway, with testing scheduled in the coming months. This initiative, part of the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition, involves collaboration with Network Rail and train operators, and focuses on improving rail services and infrastructure.

Funding and Project Scope

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a funding package of £5m ($6.7m) to support 26 “innovative” projects designed to enhance the passenger experience on the railway. This funding is part of the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition, a collaboration between DfT, Innovate UK, Network Rail, and various train operators. The initiative aims to grant funding for projects that can be tested on the railway, increasing their potential for adoption by train operators and freight companies. The focus of this year’s selected projects aligns with the Transport Secretary’s directive to prioritize passenger needs. The initiatives aim to enhance safety at railway platforms, improve passenger security, and reduce incidents involving vehicles colliding with railway bridges. The 26 selected projects commenced work on their new technologies, with testing scheduled to take place in the upcoming months.

Project Objectives and Collaboration

UK Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy stated that the competition winners are utilizing cutting-edge technology to address major challenges in the rail industry, aiming to improve services for passengers and freight. By collaborating with Network Rail and train operators, these projects are expected to address critical areas in rail services and infrastructure.

Specific Projects and Technologies

Among the projects receiving funding is IntelliPan Network, which utilizes AI to identify faults in overhead lines, thereby reducing delays caused by service-disrupting dewirements. Another project, SafeRide 5G, enables passengers to report incidents securely and privately through onboard Wi-Fi, which is anticipated to enhance response times and facilitate easier reporting. These projects are expected to contribute to improved rail services, encouraging increased train usage and supporting growth in line with the government’s Plan for Change.

Competition and Past Successes

Net Zero at Innovate UK executive director Mike Biddle highlighted that the FOAK rail program, delivered by Innovate UK on behalf of the Department for Transport, seeks to identify and support outstanding, innovative solutions. Previous winners of the FOAK competition have already been implemented across the rail network, such as the Portable Track Geometry Measurement System, which provides engineers with immediate track data, thereby expediting the removal of speed restrictions and line closures.

Regulatory Updates

In March this year, the UK DfT announced the release of updates to seven National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs) for railways. This follows a review aimed at improving safety, reliability, technical compatibility, accessibility, and environmental standards in the railway sector.

Conclusion

The UK Department for Transport is investing £5m ($6.7m) in 26 projects to enhance rail services and infrastructure. These projects, developed in collaboration with Network Rail and train operators, are set to undergo testing in the coming months. The initiative is part of the FOAK competition, with the aim of implementing new technologies to improve passenger experience and rail safety.

Company Summary

Network Rail: A key collaborator in the FOAK competition, working with DfT and train operators to implement innovative solutions for rail infrastructure.

Innovate UK: The UK’s innovation agency, delivering the FOAK rail programme on behalf of the Department for Transport.

UK Department for Transport (DfT): The government department responsible for the funding and oversight of the 26 projects.

Technology

AI: Artificial intelligence is used by IntelliPan Network to identify faults in overhead lines.

5G: SafeRide 5G utilizes 5G technology to enable passengers to report incidents securely and privately through onboard Wi-Fi.

Portable Track Geometry Measurement System: A system that provides engineers with immediate track data.

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