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Research and Reports

A database of documents and reports released by industry bodies. You can download the document by clicking on its title, and can filter reports by author or subject. If you have a report you would like to submit to the Rail Hub, please email [email protected].

 

  • Rail Freight: Building a Stronger, Greener Future for Britain

    08/07/2021
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    A regulatory framework that “enables continued private sector investment and helps more freight customers choose to move their goods by rail” is among the recommendations made by the RDG. Set against the backdrop of the creation of Great British Railways, the report argues that the restructured railway “must create a platform for rail freight to build on its successes”. Long-term access charges and a protected access regime are among the factors that the RDG lists as key to supporting modal shift to rail. It also argues that a central point of co-ordination is needed that maintains a GB-wide approach to network planning.

  • Investment Report 2020

    01/11/2019
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    In the past two years more than 2,500 brand new vehicles have been introduced, along with 4,000 additional services. That’s according to the latest investment report from the RDG, which adds that by the middle of the 2020s more than 11,300 extra trains will have been added to the timetable, while some 8,000 new vehicles will have been introduced. The report claims that every second three trains leave a platform somewhere in the UK, and that every 20 minutes 80,000 people catch a train. To support these train movements an estimated £20 billion will be invested in running and upgrading the railway next year, up from £14.9bn in 2018-19.

  • Easier fares for all

    01/03/2019
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    Following long and vocal criticism of Britain’s complex fares structure, the Rail Delivery Group puts forward ideas to make the system simpler and better value. Single-leg pricing, simpler refunds and price caps based on weekly season tickets all feature in this report, compiled with help from Transport Focus. The RDG reckons that its proposal will render ‘split-ticketing’ redundant, and make refunds and changes of plan simple. If its reforms are implemented, the RDG reckons the rail industry could stand behind them with a Best Fare Guarantee.

  • Regenerating Britain’s railway stations: a six-point plan

    21/06/2017
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    Stations, says RDG Stations Strategy Group chairman Jeremy Long in his foreword, “have the potential to be a catalyst for change, and a gateway to both the National Rail network and the neighbourhoods they serve…” When it comes to regeneration, this paper outlines six steps, from having “a clear idea of the role the station should play in the local community” to looking “to the rail industry for advice and help.”

  • Regenerating Britain’s railway stations: six case studies

    21/06/2017
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    This report - which complements that above - looks at six case studies on regeneration of stations as diverse as Birmingham New Street (a £750m project) and Burnham-on-Crouch (£140,000). The case studies, the report says, “were selected to illustrate the potential for investment in stations to contribute positively to local communities and the rail industry.” They represent the position as of autumn 2016.

  • Long Term Passenger rolling stock strategy for the rail industry

    01/03/2017
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    The fifth edition of what has become a regular report argues that with regard to peaks in demand for vehicles: “A completely steady new build programme for rolling stock is unlikely ever to occur.” It says the size of the national rolling stock fleet is expected to “grow by between 41% and 89% over 30 years”; in the more short term, the number of vehicles in service is to climb 15% by 2019 then another 5%-10% by 2024. Some 6,010 vehicles are committed for delivery in Control Period 5 and the early part of CP6, around half of them built in Britain.

  • Scotland’s rail infrastructure: the rail industry’s advice for 2019 onwards

    01/02/2017
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    The High Level Output Specification for Scotland is due in summer 2017, and this report represents the RDG’s advice to the Scottish government in the run-up to that. The paper argues that a “good” settlement for the industry will be “one that incentivises the industry, its principal funder and its regulator to improve the collective understanding of what the key drivers of a successful railway are…”

  • Our customers our people: a railway for the digital age

    01/10/2016
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    Arguing for digital systems for the railway, including to help increase capacity and reduce costs, the Rail Delivery Group contends that the “conventional solutions of the past are not enough to accommodate the growing needs of the nation.” It argues that modernisation “is happening at pace in almost all areas of life, yet rail is playing catch up.” The paper also makes the case for driver-only operated trains - quoting a Steer Davies Gleave report (2013) in estimating a 23% reduction in station dwell times.

  • Investing in the future: Choices for Scotland’s Railways 2019 and beyond

    23/09/2016
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    Described as a “starting point for discussions”, this paper lays out potential choices for the development of the railway in Scotland. Among other things, it argues that the “key requirement for Scotland’s railways over the next decades is to make best use of existing and future capability”; and that a “specific and clear focus on innovation in Scotland will support the rail industry to work more efficiently.” Z The RDG has also published a series of illustrations for potential future stations, building on its October 2015 report Vision for Stations.

  • Working Together: Rail Delivery Group annual report 2015

    03/11/2015
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    The Rail Delivery Group’s vision “is to make Europe’s best railway even better”. The 2015 report summarises activities during what, writes chairman Martin Griffiths, was the RDG’s “first complete year as a fully resourced strategic body”. The organisation, whose members include Network Rail and passenger and freight train operating groups, says its aims include “running more, better, faster and greener rail services, at the highest levels of safety” as well as “offering a personalised travelling experience”, improving cost efficiency, and “accelerating the use of digital technology throughout the industry”.

  • Planning and Timing of Engineering Works on the GB rail network

    10/06/2015
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    Report of the review, led by Anton Valk, that was commissioned following significant disruption to services into and out of London on December 27 and 28 2014, prompted primarily by overrunning works. The review concludes that the scope for carrying out major improvement works in and around London other than at Christmas and Easter, is extremely limited; but that the industry could reduce the risk of overruns at these times by moving work which does not need major closures of the network to other points in the year and improve the efficiency of its planning and operational processes.

  • Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy for the Rail Industry

    03/03/2015
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    The traction mix on Britain’s railways will change dramatically, with the current 3,909 diesel vehicles likely to shrink to just 1,234 in 2044’s medium forecast, and 95% of the fleet of 25,084 vehicles electric or dual mode. Electrification is key to the study’s findings as a making a business case for new diesel trains is becoming increasingly challenging due to emissions regulations: a long term electrification programme would, the study says, release ‘good mid-life’ diesel units to increase capacity on routes which are likely to need self-powered trains. Even the worst case scenario suggests that 62% of track miles will be electrified by the end of Control Period 8 in 2034.

  • Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy for the Rail Industry - 3rd Edition, Feb 2015

    01/02/2015
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    Based on future passenger demand, an increase in the size of the fleet of between 52% and 99% will be required over the next 30 years, with the proportion of vehicles using electric traction rising from 69% today to 92-95% by 2044. Around 3,350 new electric vehicles will need to be delivered by April 2019, with orders already placed for 90% of this total. A further 428 vehicles for Crossrail, the Intercity Express Programme and Essex Thameside have already been committed for delivery after this date.

  • The Way Ahead

    01/10/2014
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    Rail enhances the productive potential of the UK economy by £10.2 billion per year.

  • GB rail: dataset on financial and operational performance 1997-98 – 2012-13

    20/08/2014
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    Data shows journey growth has been more than double GDP growth. Train operations return 400% more money to Government to reinvest in rail than in 1999.

  • Running a Better Railway

    01/06/2014
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    Based on studies, ‘time on tools’ during network possessions is currently estimated in many cases to be lower than the European average of 80%. This means that planned works are sometimes not completed and more access is needed. There is also increased risk of overrun and disruption for rail users.

  • Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy for the Rail Industry

    01/02/2014
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    A look at the long-term passenger rolling stock requirements for the rail industry