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It is intended that the Intelligent Railway Research Centre will be the point of focus for a range of technical collaborations between Network Rail and The University of Sheffield. Intelligent Railway in this context is defined as intelligent systems engineering (e.g. for detecting, sensing, communications, systems performance, materials, structures, software, tribology, etc.) that can be applied to rail infrastructure generally (for example, but not exclusively, track materials, track installation, track monitoring, track maintenance, track design, and track performance), associated vehicles (trains and their operation) and any other plant associated with a railway operation.
The format of the Centre will be based around the identification of Network Rail’s research and development needs and then identifying the best project formats to deliver against these.
The funding of the Centre will constitute some upfront funding to provide for funding of seed activities, some funding for matching with third party funding captured by University of Sheffield, and some funding for projects fully funded by Network Rail.
It is intended that Network Rail’s association with University of Sheffield should be with the whole of the Faculty of Engineering, and for this an intra-university systems engineering approach will be encouraged.
Intelligent Railway is meant as a key focus for the Network Rail/University of Sheffield collaboration, but collaboration is by no means limited to this area; collaborative work will be encouraged in areas other than intelligent railways.
Network Rail works with several university partners and both Network Rail and the University are free to work with other Universities and organisations. This Agreement is not an exclusive arrangement. Furthermore inter-University projects may be appropriate.
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