UK: Network Rail Innovation and suggestions scheme

[John Ashworth]

The Network Rail website invites people to "Submit a solution" to the following issues...

Innovation and suggestions scheme

Smart ideas delivering value

Think, Explore, Prove, Do: the four stages in our innovation process are all about delivering value for our customers, passengers and stakeholders.

By harnessing the power of the market, we capture novel ideas from our suppliers and academic partners. If you have a solution to one of our challenges, please send Robert Cummins, our Innovation Supply Chain Manager, an outline of the innovation using our online innovation and suggestions form.

Our challenges and priorities

Condition monitoring of Buildings & Civils assets

Network Rail seeks innovative solutions for monitoring the condition of key assets and predicting time frames for intervention and/or loss of serviceability. Key assets include: earthworks, underwater foundations, M & E assets, masonry structures and line side buildings

Greater business benefit from waste

Network Rail seeks innovative approaches to re-processing, re-using or recycling waste products from the rail infrastructure e.g. vegetation, components and materials.

Improved power supply and energy

Network Rail seeks innovative solutions to support improvements in power supply and energy management. We are keen to explore: energy storage, energy harvesting, low energy replacements for existing components, electrical loss identification and minimisation, and increased resilience.

Low cost fault reporting

Network Rail seeks low cost technical solutions for remotely reporting on the real time condition and state of railway assets.

Planning for climate change

Network Rail seeks innovative approaches to predict and mitigate against future changes in climate that may impact on our plant solutions.

Protective coatings for metallic structures

Network Rail seeks low cost protective coating solutions for metallic structures, with a serviceable life of at least 25 years.

Reducing the proximity of people to plant

Network Rail seeks innovative solutions to reduce the proximity of people to plant and solutions that promote the safety of our people who are in close contact with plant on or around the railway infrastructure.

Remote condition monitoring of track assets

Network Rail seeks innovative approaches to record, analyse and report asset condition information. Features and benefits: Ability to map asset position; Data mining and integration; Provides predictive algorithms for future condition and performance.

Retro-waterproofing of tunnel linings

Network Rail seeks innovative solutions for the effective retro-waterproofing of tunnel linings (particularly brick) without the use of traditional sheeting methods.

Track components

Network Rail seeks innovative solutions and approaches for the development of track and switch & crossing components. Benefits and features: Reduces whole life costs; Improves reliability; Reduces levels of intervention.

Track system renewal

Network Rail seeks alternative approaches and solutions to full renewal of the track system (rail, sleepers, ballast and formation). Features and benefits: Standardises processes, Reduces installation time; Delivers consistency of quality; Reduces life cycle costs (both initial investment and ongoing maintenance requirements).