DIGI-RAIL Project Al-Amin Dabo, PhD. Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) 28/10/2019 1 

2 28/10/2019 Who we are: Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) - Largest university based centre for railway research and education in Europe, with more than 145 researchers and staff - World-leading expertise in railway systems and infrastructure alongside renowned global higher education programmes Systems engineering Railway capacity Real-time traffic management Railway education Aerodynamics Benchmarking - Areas of particular expertise include: Condition monitoring Data integration and Cybersecurity Environmental engineering Modelling and computation Power and energy Risk and safety 

University of Birmingham: Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems University of Huddersfield: Centre of Excellence in Rolling stock University of Southampton: Centre of Excellence in Infrastructure RIDC, TFL, QRTC: Centre of Excellence in Testing 

A railway’s role in the modern Smart City As cities around us transform and become more connected and digitalised, the expectation for public transportation is to follow through in every respect. The smart railway can be constructed around a set of benchmarks: • Connectivity • Sustainability/Resilience • Technological innovation • Adaptability 

Connectivity - Rail powered by data Smart railway will utilise data in two main ways: • To assist passengers and keep them informed, connected and entertained via a stable WiFi or 4G/5G connection across carriages and stations. • Data is used internally by the transport operator to inform predictive maintenance and improve the level of service. 

Sustainability - Climate-focused railways networks With a core aim of cutting emissions and reducing pollution, sustainability is a core part of a smart rail system. The UK aims to decarbonise the railways and remove diesel-only trains by 2040 HydroFlex is UK’s first hydrogen powered passenger train 

Adaptability – Coping with the unexpected Although data-powered predictive maintenance is crucial, sometimes disruptions and emergencies cannot be avoided. How the system responds to adverse weather, destruction of infrastructure, etc. 

Technological innovation – Digital technologies • Driverless trains (ATO) • In-cab signalling • Digital Twin 

The rail industry: Emerging opportunities Sometimes considered to be a conservative industry, the truth is that the rail industry has always been a frontier in technology advances and mobility. With the digitalization, however, change in the industry has moved up a gear. SMEs bring new possibilities to the table; possibilities that drive us towards a better, more efficient railway. €185 billion The railway technology market is expected to grow at a compound AGR of 2.6% to reach an average annual value of 185 billion Euros between 2019 and 2021. 

28/10/2019 10 Digital Railway 

DIGI-RAIL Project Overview • ERDF part-funded SME support programme • DIGI-RAIL will bring together railway sector buyers with West Midlands businesses and research expertise. • The aim of the initiative is to solve challenges within the railway sector and access the increasing number of digital rail commercial and research opportunities that currently exist in the UK and internationally. • DIGI-RAIL will showcase and offer long-term innovation support to businesses looking to develop digital products and services for the rail industry. 

DIGI-RAIL Facts and Figures • 3-year project – 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2021 • Total project value £3,192,650, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund • Delivery Areas: Greater Birmingham & Solihull and Coventry & Warwickshire LEP Areas (approval for extension into black country) 

The DIGI-RAIL Team Eli Rees-King Senior Technical Officer Martin Little Senior Technical Officer George Bates Communications Michelle Morgan Communications Rachel Eade Business Development Al-Amin Dabo Business Engagement Manager Nadeen Taylor Events Chris Morris Technical Officer +19 Matched Academics 

DIGI-RAIL Focus • DIGI-RAIL will build on BCRRE’s established partnerships with major players in the Rail industry and a range of expertise in key domains of Digital Rail, including • Traffic Management; • European Train Control System; • Automatic Train Operation; • Energy Management; • Rolling Stock Design; • BIM; • Smart Ticketing; • Future Wireless Networks; • Fault Management; • Station Information Systems; • IoT & Cyber Security. 

Who will benefit from DIGI-RAIL? 100 SMEs across the region will benefit from access to: • World-class technical expertise • Demonstration infrastructure • Research programmes • Technology providers and rail industry buyers • Workshops and Seminars • Bespoke/ 1:1 Consultation • Rail Alliance Community Participant (freemium) • Small-scale collaborative R&D partnerships will be facilitated to develop new digital rail products & processes • New research collaborations and collaborative R&D activity with the University to co- develop new products and processes. 

Support mechanisms • UKRRIN • Rail Alliance 

Support for Solutions, Value for Industry DIGI-RAIL Virtual Tier 2 Solution Solution CHALLENGE Client OEM T1s BCRRE Rail Alliance as a supply chain facility MENTOR EVENTS WEBSITE B2B INTEL MENTOR SOLUTIONS 

• Largest and most extensive rail storage facility in the UK • 20km of storage sidings • Connected to the national rail network at Honeybourne • This is served by all of the Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) with 24/7 access. • Storage for approximately 1000 items of rolling stock • 4 hectares of open hard-standing based storage • Approximately 2000m2 of covered workshops with associated handling equipment and crainage. QRTC 

What we are looking for • Any company either working in rail or looking to get into the rail sector with a product, service, technology or method/process that improve or add value to the railway. • SME based in GBSLEP, CWLEP or BCLEP • DIGI-RAIL is looking to engage with businesses not just in rail but across a variety of sectors 

Thank You Al-Amin Dabo, PhD. [email protected] 28/10/2019 20