16.07.13
RRUKA members impress with rail-relevant research
The Rail Research UK Association (RRUKA) is hosting its first Next Generation Rail conference at the Crystal in London. The two-day event started yesterday and continues today.
The conference aims to bring together researchers to offer networking opportunities for a career in rail. A series of presentations yesterday showcased the variety of projects academia throughout the UK is currently working on, with a high degree of relevance to everyday problems faced by the rail industry.
Chaired by Southampton University’s William Powrie, a contributor to Rail Technology Magazine, the event saw graduates compete for prizes in the best poster and best presentation categories, as well as designing promotional materials to help encourage more young people into rail.
The winner of the best presentation will receive a placement with Alstom and £100 cash prize. The best poster competition will receive a £100 cash prize.
The presentations covered a wide range of rail research, from regenerative braking to masonry arch bridges, how rail can learn from the aerospace industry and models to predict asset failures.
Huddersfield University, winners of this years’ IMechE Railway Challenge, presented their entry and delegates heard a first-hand account of a career in rail from Amanda White, senior route engineer of HS2.
The first day culminated with a dinner and guest speaker Gerry McFadden, engineering director of Southern.
RTM’s Roy Rowlands is a keynote speaker at the event today, discussing the UK Rail Industry Training Trust (UKRITT), RTM’s charity that encourages young people to consider a career in rail.
For live updates from Next Generation Rail follow @rtmnews and #NextGenRail
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