RAILTEX 2013 REVIEW
‘ We can
design parts that never fail ’
Network Rail chairman Richard Parry-Jones gave a wide-ranging speech at Railtex covering technology adoption, research and development, and whether the organisation’s debt is sustainable. It’s well worth a read – here’s his speech in full.
It’s
very exciting to be here, because we’re surrounded by engineering and
technology and innovation, and it reminds me of the same thought that’s occurred to me since I took on the role at Network Rail – we are in a land of huge opportunities.
I spent about 40 years in the automotive industry, and so far about 15 months in the rail industry. So, there’s a slight imbalance in the depth of knowledge I have about the two forms of mobility and transportation. But nonetheless it does give me some interesting, and I would argue fresh, perspectives on some of the transferable lessons learned that can be applied – in both directions, not just in the direction of automotive to rail, but also from rail to automotive. And of course [there are] some interesting interfacing opportunities between road transport and rail transport to further optimise the interaction and particularly the safety of the two operations, which are all enabled by technology.
The resurgence of UK rail
Let me start by talking about the economics. The good news is that we work in an industry that, after eight decades of decline, is now growing again. In the last decade, passenger growth grew by 50%, and last year by almost double digits.
Most sectors in these very difficult economic times would be extremely jealous and envious of the situation that rail finds itself in in this country, and indeed rail in the UK distinguishes itself in the fact that it grows faster than rail in most other developed countries. DB is not enjoying the rates of growth that we are here in the UK.
“Much of that money comes from borrowing from the national bond market against our asset register. That’s great for awhile, but I don’t know if it’s ultimately infinitely sustainable. We need to think about that.”
22 | rail technology magazine Jun/Jul 13
You have to ask the question, why? Why has this reversal taken place? And there are probably many reasons. Certainly the congestion on the roads and the cost of motoring has contributed. But also, there’s a macro-economic trend towards people clustering; more and more people are living in cities and urban centres.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100