The Railway Industry Association is set on harnessing the potential of technology
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is moving up a gear in its promotion of innovation with a series of meetings around the MADE (materials, automation, data, energy) theme. In February, researchers and railway managers congregated at the University of Southampton, the centre of excellence for infrastructure in the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), for the MADE for Infrastructure event.
Much of the focus was on how to make rail infrastructure, which traditionally has used large quantities of carbon-intensive steel and concrete, more environmentally friendly. As an example, Neil Appleton, Market Development Lead with the National Composites Centre, points to geopolymer (cement-free) concrete and reinforcement rebar made from composites, which unlike conventional steel rebar, won’t corrode. That’s a key benefit on for example highways in the US Midwest, where large quantities of road salt are used in the harsh winters there and where the Interstate system is in need of renewal.
