The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board have provided funding towards academic research that has the aim to provide clear guidance for future Tram-Train schemes as more areas of the country show interest in developing services along these lines.
The study – which is being led by the Institute of Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield – is aiming to address the lack of standardisation for Tram-Train projects whilst also promoting the many benefits.
Craig O’Brien, Head of Engineering and Innovation at the LRSSB, commented: “Designing and operating vehicles that can operate on both mainline railways and light rail networks can present numerous challenges, as can the infrastructure associated with such projects.
“However, Tram/Train offers significant benefits over the construction of new lines – not least in terms of cost and delivery times – and has already proved successful both in the UK and overseas.
“This project aims to ensure a common approach that should further reduce costs by reducing reliance on consultants during the design phase and promoting a common procurement process while supporting the business case for new schemes.
“This landmark project has the full backing of the LRSSB as we strive to lead the sector in establishing new standards for the sector and ensuring safety remains the number one priority from the design through to the operation of all light rail networks.”
David Crosbee, Principal Industrial Fellow at the University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research, added: “The project, proposed by Visiting Professor of Transport Richard Knowles, brings together industry partners and academia with the aim of addressing not only the engineering challenges associated with developing new Tram/Train schemes, but also the social and economic business case and transport policies.”
As well as the LRSSB, Network Rail, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the University of Huddersfield’s EPSRC and ESRC Impact Acceleration Accounts.