The 2007/08 Rail Evidence and Research Strategy

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The 2007/08 Rail Evidence and Research Strategy updates the strategy first published in August 2006. During the last year a Rail Technical Strategy has emerged through constructive dialogue between the rail industry and Government. This is helping to provide a vision for the railways in the UK over the next 30 years. The vision is for an affordable, safe and secure railway with enhanced environmental performance and increased capacity to respond to demand growth and customers’ needs. Research and evidence collection activities are starting to respond to these challenges:

On the environment, research projects are underway to develop on-train energy metering that will provide incentives to save energy and to investigate alternative fuels such as biodiesel. Regenerative breaking and hybrid trains also offer the potential to save energy. Collaborative research is underway to quantify the benefits of these approaches. The UK (through RSSB) has also led a bid for European funding on low impact trains which, if successful, will save energy and reduce wear and tear on the track. Research is also starting to quantify the impact of climate change on the railways.

On affordability, modelling work is helping to quantify the benefits of different investment options and is providing the evidence needed to inform the High Level Output Specification and long term policy. Research projects are looking at the value of environmental improvements (CO2, noise and particulates) and linking road and rail models.

On capacity, research is seeking to understand crowding better, to consider the health and safety aspects of overcrowding and to establish the limits of the current infrastructure. The value to the economy of being able to work on trains is also being evaluated.

On safety, a wide range of projects is underway including research to investigate how to improve the safety of level crossings and the development of practical tools for measuring and managing safety. On security, best practice on managing football fans is being studied.

On meeting customers' needs, evidence on customer satisfaction is gathered annually from passengers through the National Passenger Survey. Research is also investigating options for smart ticketing, learning from technology being developed in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

Emerging research needs include:

• Satellite positioning on trains
• Benchmarking (against other countries as well as other industries)
• Capacity limits
• The impact of climate change
• Lighter weight trains
• Noise & air quality
• The value of station improvements
• Passenger's willingness to pay for reductions in crowding & journey time
• Trains monitoring track routinely
• End to end journey management
• Improved accessibility
• Assessment of test facilities
• Novel energy (hydrogen, batteries)
• Advisory speed to reduce congestion and save energy
• Cost-effective anti-terrorism measures
• Strategic freight routes

PDFC research priorities for 2007/08 and beyond

• Capacity and Crowding

A complete overhaul of current crowding advice, reflecting design of rolling stock interiors, how crowding impacts on individual customer segments and their travel experience and ideal use of time. Reviewing the link between fare and crowding as a modelling approach and considering whether a simpler non-interactive approach can be used.

• Flexibility, Price & Crowding

To look at how customers value flexibility, price and avoidance of busy services when selecting restricted, non-restricted and advance purchase tickets, and how this would relate to yield management strategies.

• Evolution of Rail Demand Drivers

To look at how the relationship with external demand drivers is changing, including changing lifestyle and working practices, demographic factors and awareness of environmental issues, and how these changes will impact on future rail demand.

• Regional Studies of Elasticities and Relationships with Demand Drivers

To undertake a series of case studies in towns and cities around the country and develop an understanding of how factors driving demand differ geographically.

• New Services/Stations

To review advice on modelling potential demand for new stations and train services and services that have received major upgrades.

• Demand Profiles

Research current demand profiles and journey factors to provide alternatives to the outdated profiles used by ORCATS and for season ticket suspense.