Professor Chris Sansom (Head of Zero Carbon Research at the University of Derby) took us on a journey through the recent history of rail research at the University of Derby. He then provided a detailed summary of current research projects and look into a number of possible futures for the industry.

To view a video of this lecture by Professor Chris Sansom then please log into the Members Area and click on Lecture Videos.

Derby’s rich railway heritage is matched by the involvement of the University in rail-related R&D and training. Much of this has not been well-publicised, particularly the R&D and manufacturing links. Yet from the early days of the University, when the local Colleges and Technical Centres were amalgamated to form the University of Derby, rail-related manufacturing and engineering have been an important focus of the University’s R&D strategy.

Current day R&D builds upon our historical base. As Derby is an applied University, that R&D is deliberately aimed at companies and other end-user stakeholders. Yet, as was shown in the lecture, we have projects that are unquestionably state-of-the-art, with academic and technical staff that carry out world-leading research. The lecture gave many examples of this. For example, you will learn of plans for rail decarbonization that involve novel propulsion solutions, a state-of-the art rail cleaning system utilising plasma technology and the use of AI for rail scheduling, infrastructure and network planning. Finally, the lecture had a look at rail as part of a future integrated system and how we might all travel between homes, work, and leisure locations in a net-zero carbon world.