RSSB
barriers to innovation is the difficulty and cost of getting access to testing facilities. We have therefore introduced testing vouchers which allow innovators to apply for subsidised access to testing facilities with Network Rail at its Rail Innovation and Development Centre in Nottinghamshire, or with the Rail Alliance at Long Marston in Warwickshire.
The third area is around helping the industry develop its capability to innovate. At its most simple this is about providing information and advice. To an outsider, the rail industry is complicated, and if you’re trying to sell an idea or product into it, it can be very off-putting. Combine this with the fact that, for both new entrants and rail industry insiders the landscape of initiatives within and beyond rail to support research, development and innovation is complicated too. We aim to rectify that and help innovators to navigate the complex rail industry and innovation support landscape and identify the most appropriate route to market. Although we are always pleased to talk directly, we are building a dedicated learning area of the FutureRailway website which includes guidance on innovation and what the various options
and schemes that exist can offer. We are also developing proposals to support industry with innovation training and mentoring. At a more strategic level, we have also commissioned a study of the UK rail supply chain capability to understand where existing and potential UK suppliers are or have the potential to be strong in both the UK and world market. We are working with industry leaders to build the case for more recognition and support for the technology, skills and exports opportunities and challenges.
All in all, this is a great opportunity for the supply chain and the rail
industry.The will to innovate, the mechanisms to do it, and the commercial pull from the sector are all aligning and this bodes well for the railway of the future.
•
For more information go to
www.futurerailway.org David Clarke is director of the Enabling Innovation Team, which forms part of Technical Strategy Leadership Group’s FutureRailway portfolio.
Multipulse Rail Delivers...
• TRAINBORNE & TRACKSIDE INSTALLATIONS
• PRIME CONTRACTOR & SUB-CONTRACTOR SERVICES
• TURNKEY PROJECT MANAGEMENT • TEST & CALIBRATION SERVICES • ISO9001, ACOP1003 & GM/RT2450 SAFETY CRITICAL CERTIFIED
TRUSTED TO PERFORM
Units 1-3, Goldsworth Park Trading Estate, Kestrel Way, Woking GU21 3BA.
Tel. 01483 713600
www.multipulse.com
October 2013 Page 43
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 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140