Network Rail and Strukton Rail (www.strukton.com) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the delivery of Network Rail’s £245 million research and development portfolio in Control Period 6 (2019-2024).

The MoU — signed by Jon Shaw (Network Rail’s chief engineer) and Jacob Zeeman (CEO of Dutch rail and civil engineering company Strukton) — will see the two organisations develop asset management, intelligent infrastructure and advanced data analytics to support “more reliable passenger and freight journeys with safer and more cost-
effective maintenance”.

Network Rail says that greater demands are being placed on an ageing railway that is experiencing more frequent incidents of extreme weather; it is committed to getting technology onto the railway much more quickly to help address these challenges and give passengers a more reliable and resilient railway.

Ali Smith, senior programme manager for Network Rail’s R&D portfolio (www.networkrail.co.uk), said: “We have set an ambitious programme for research and development over the next five years, and we are determined to use this portfolio to find new ways to deliver a better railway for passengers and freight users.

“Our success relies on working with many organisations, particularly where all parties are contributing to joint development.”

Ian Puckrin, head of maintenance delivery for Eastern region, said: “Technical collaboration between Strukton and Network Rail presents an exciting opportunity to accelerate the use of the huge volume of data we acquire from our assets.

“The prize is a significant improvement in both asset performance and workforce safety.”