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Researcher in Residence: Getting the UK train network back on track

The Institute of Railway Research (IRR) at the University of Huddersfield and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) are collaborating to enhance the reliability and resilience of train fleet maintenance through an innovative virtual depot and operations optimisation in an ambitious project led by academic Hassna Louadah.

Train Fleet Maintenance (TFM) is a critical aspect of ensuring a safe and reliable railway network. However, managing fleet maintenance and depot operations considering depot capacity and spare parts availability poses significant challenges. With approximately 3 million passenger train delay minutes attributed to train faults in 2019/20, there is a pressing need to improve the TFM system.

The project aims to leverage the expertise of the IRR and AMRC to develop optimisation tools for maintenance operations, enhancing the resilience of the train network. By integrating the virtual depot workflow tool from IRR and the train depot simulation tool from AMRC, the project seeks to create a comprehensive process that optimises maintenance operations while considering depot resources, capacity, movements, and component degradation over time.

With the UK’s railway network being vital for economic growth, social mobility, and progress towards net-zero emissions targets, an efficient, reliable, and resilient transport system is paramount. The proposed project aligns with these objectives by aiming to reduce the overall cost of train maintenance while improving reliability and resilience.

Through a collaborative effort, the vision is to establish a long-term partnership between IRR and AMRC. By jointly developing innovative tools and leveraging their network of industry contacts, the project seeks to implement and deploy these tools across the rail industry, driving positive change and ensuring the future success of fleet maintenance.