Rail

The rail industry is no stranger to innovation. As one of the most sustainable modes of transport, rail networks around the world are experiencing increasing demand across both passenger and freight traffic, demand that’s placing greater pressures on infrastructure and capacity.

Releasing capacity to meet growing demand is seeing innovation in several areas, with improvements in speed and point to point efficiency, innovation in train control, signalling and safety systems.

Not resting on its laurels, the rail industry continues to embrace sustainability, exploring new forms of green power. However, this is not without its challenges, not least due to the significant capital investments needed to effect change. Migrating large fleets of proven and reliable diesel locomotives to electric, especially without wider infrastructure investments, isn’t always possible. However, the need to meet increasing emissions legislation and CO₂ targets is driving innovation.

New hybrid combustion engines, leveraging hydrogen and other fuel technologies, and as with the automotive sector, leveraging battery and fuel cell technologies, is helping transition fleets away from pure diesel power.

We are seeing ongoing developments in power systems and regenerative braking, harnessing, and storing power for optimum application, helping deliver greater efficiency. Further reductions in weight through material science innovations, use of AI, AR and VR technologies, are also helping with improvements in predictive maintenance.

Then there is the customer experience. The travelling public are also increasingly demanding, necessitating advancements in the connected passenger experience and on-board entertainment, requiring networks and operators to leverage the latest communications technologies. With an increasing reliance and need for such technologies, also comes the need to embrace the latest in cybersecurity and remote monitoring systems, to always ensure safe and secure operations.

Our team is well placed to support clients in the rail industry with their Intellectual Property, thanks to our extensive understanding and experience notably in mechanical and electrical engineering, secure communications, AI, AR, VR, material science, and energy.