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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].

 

  • The Scandinavian Way to Better Transport

    01/08/2017
    Urban Transport Group SearchResearchItems

    Key characteristics of Scandinavian public transport include high-frequency services, multi-modal ticketing and alignment of transport strategies across different levels of government plus other policy areas such as economic development and social cohesion. So says the UTG, which has compared transport in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and looks at how transport authorities there are using devolved powers. In Scandinavian countries, the report argues, “there is a political and public consensus that public transport is a public service.”

  • National Rail Passenger Survey: Spring 2017 Main Report

    01/08/2017
    Transport Focus SearchResearchItems

    Overall satisfaction with the train operating companies measured in the Spring 2017 wave of the National Rail Passenger Survey varied between 72% (Southern) and 97% (Hull Trains). Nationally, the figure stood at 83% (up from 80% in Spring 2016 and 81% that autumn). However, the proportion of passengers satisfied with value for money for the price of their ticket remained under half - 47% (compared to 46% in Spring 2016). TF conducts its survey across the franchised railway - and in the Spring 2017 wave on four non-franchised operators as well.

  • NSAR Full Year Report

    27/07/2017
    National Skills Academy for Rail SearchResearchItems

    This report describes important development over the year within NSAR and its support for the industry. It explains that rail is now among the best prepared and supported of all key industries when it comes to skills. The main task for the industry going forward is to acknowledge the importance of trained staff for rail’s future competitiveness and to get on with the job of training new entrants.

  • Measuring Up

    26/07/2017
    Office of Rail and Road (ORR) SearchResearchItems

    The ORR supports the introduction of a Rail Ombudsman following research that shows complaints handling on the railway must improve. Overall customer service within TOCs is making progress with better passenger information and delay compensation, but complaints handling is lagging behind. This report focuses on: ticket selling, how well companies provide passenger information, the support provided for people who need help on their journey and complaints and compensation handling.

  • ORR’s Annual Health and Safety Report of Performance on Britain’s Railways: 2016-17

    19/07/2017
    Office of Rail and Road (ORR) SearchResearchItems

    HM Chief Inspector of Railways and Director of Railway Safety Ian Prosser says that it is important the catch-up of deferred renewals is achieved in Control Period 6. Safety performance has remained broadly consistent with previous years, with the lowest level of harm to passengers and public ever seen on Britain’s mainline trains and stations when data is normalised (considering the rise in passenger journeys).

  • Risk associated with train dispatch: Summary of risk analysis and consolidation of current knowledge

    01/07/2017
    RSSB SearchResearchItems

    The RSSB has concluded that, based “on recent GB industry-standard evidence, safety levels are as good for passengers who board and alight from trains without a guard being present as they are for those using other services.” This report “concludes that levels of risk across all forms of dispatch are low.” It says that just under 80m passenger trains are dispatched on the GB main line network per year.

  • Annual safety performance report: a reference guide to safety trends on GB railways - 2016/17

    01/07/2017
    RSSB SearchResearchItems

    ‘Total system harm’ was at its second lowest in ten years, according to this report from the RSSB, with reductions in harm for passengers and the public. However, workforce harm increased from 26.8 Fatalities and Weighted Injuries to 27.9FWI. The report also says there are “clear challenges that the industry is facing in other areas, such as managing risk at the platform edge, managing assaults on trains and in stations, and emerging trends seen in workforce road driving.” Against the existence of the shared industry strategy Leading Health and Safety on Britain’s Railways, the RSSB says it will publish quarterly reports from 2017/2018 “specifically to monitor industry’s implementation of the strategy in the key risk areas and management capabilities.”

  • Transport infrastructure skills strategy - one year on

    01/07/2017
    Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce SearchResearchItems

    The Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce (STAT) - of which the Rail Delivery Group is a member - was formed in 2016 and this report marks the first year of its existence. Examples of next steps include further survey work and engagement with the supply chain, as well as promoting transport and logistics in schools. Together with the Department for Transport, STAT is to work on a ‘Year of Engineering’ for 2018.

  • Innovation 2050: a digital future for the infrastructure industry

    01/07/2017
    Balfour Beatty SearchResearchItems

    Direct neural control of devices; 3D and 4D printing; and human-free building sites - such are some of the predictions from Balfour Beatty about the future of construction. Recommendations include ensuring regulatory systems are ready; future-proofing new infrastructure; and taking the problems of cyber security seriously. “Those companies at the forefront of the digital revolution, which integrate new technologies most effectively, updating their business capabilities and their offer,” the report says, “will reap the biggest rewards.”

  • Women count 2017: role, value and number of female executives in the FTSE 350

    01/07/2017
    The Pipeline SearchResearchItems

    Of transport and storage companies in the FTSE 350, only 13% have executive committees that are at least 25% female, according to Women Count 2017. However the report also found, for example, that in terms of women sitting on main boards, transport and storage companies were above average with 28% compared with 16% across the FTSE 350. According to the report, companies with executive committees made up of at least 25% females have profit margins almost double those with none.

  • Rail Devolution Works

    01/07/2017
    Urban Transport Group SearchResearchItems

    In the headline for its first chapter this report says rail devolution is “a success story for passengers, cities and regions”. In rail terms, devolution now covers not only Merseyrail, Scotland and London Overground. As of last year the Northern and Trans-Pennine franchises came under Rail North which, the report says, “brings together local authorities in the North with the DfT” - and in 2017 West Midlands Rail “will play a key role in a new West Midlands franchise.” Although not wanting to see the railways “balkanised” the UTG says “the evidence presented in this report shows that for urban and regional rail services devolution works for passengers and for the places that devolved railways serve.”

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

    21/06/2017
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    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
    Rail Delivery Group SearchResearchItems

    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.

  • The UK Rail Market 2017

    01/06/2017
    Brooks Market Intelligence Reports SearchResearchItems

    Generally reflecting the status as at December 2016, the latest version of this report from Brooks covers not only the UK national railway system, but also Transport for London (including Crossrail) and light rail. Topics include government’s role and reports such as those from McNulty and Shaw; and the Hendy and Bowe reviews. Other subjects include things like rolling stock and high-speed (including HS2 and HS3), as well as train operators and infrastructure. Northern Ireland gets its own section. More details, a preview, and online purchases are available at www.brooksreports.com/index.php?archive=&lang=en&cat=rail&search=&viewreport=152. This is a paid for report, therefore this is a sample.

  • Railway Upgrade Plan 2017/18

    01/06/2017
    Network Rail SearchResearchItems

    Effectively bringing together details of various NR upgrade schemes in one place, this paper covers projects in 2017/18 - at a time when, CEO Mark Carne says in his introduction, the next 12 months will bring “a further step change in Network Rail’s internal transformation.” The report breaks down the various schemes by NR Route, with an introduction from the respective MDs, then a summary of various projects. ‘Freight and National Transport Operators’ get their own chapter, as does ‘Property’.

  • How can we improve urban freight distribution in the UK? Challenges and solutions

    01/05/2017
    Independent Transport Commission SearchResearchItems

    Over 80% of the UK population lives in urban areas - this report from the ITC considers “negative externalities” of urban freight such as congestion, poor air quality, and the noise and timing of deliveries. The paper argues that there is a need for further action - with recommendations including seeking ways to overcome a lack of data on urban freight distribution outside London. It also recommends supporting both new technologies and the creation of Urban Consolidation Centres through pilot schemes.

  • Taking Back Control of Trade Policy

    01/05/2017
    Institute of Government SearchResearchItems

    The Institute of Government argues that the UK should look to continue existing (EU) free trade agreements, such as with Canada, Switzerland and Turkey, and prioritise new agreements with Australia and New Zealand as it develops its own trade policy. Returning later to the BRIC countries and the USA “will be more productive” it says.

  • HSRIL Response to the Industrial Strategy Green Paper

    01/04/2017
    High Speed Rail Industry Leaders SearchResearchItems

    This “new, open, UK-based grouping of major businesses that have a capability in high-speed rail” recommends creating what it terms ‘HS2 International’ to offer “a whole exportable package to potential customers.” It also argues that UK suppliers must continue to contribute to developing European and international standards post-Brexit, and that the government’s industrial strategy “should commit to HS2 being only the start of the delivery of a wider high speed rail network”.

  • Classic Rail and Connected Cities: Capturing the Benefits from Rail

    01/04/2017
    Independent Transport Commission SearchResearchItems

    This report lists six principles - five previously identified in research on high-speed rail - that the ITC believes are applicable to rail infrastructure investment on the ‘classic’ network. They include being responsive to change, collaborating, and improving planning processes. The report argues that adopting these principles will better allow the ‘value added’ of infrastructure to be captured.

  • Door-to-door transport in London: delivering a user-led service

    01/04/2017
    London Assembly SearchResearchItems

    “Until TfL is able to make all public transport fully accessible, it has an obligation to ensure effective and comprehensive door-to-door services are available to Londoners.” So says this London Assembly transport committee report, which argues that despite consensus on integrating door-to-door services - with users being able to access the services through a single telephone call, website or app - “progress towards this goal has been slow.” Amongst other recommendations is one to set up a pilot project.

  • Rail franchising: Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth Report of Session 2016-17: Tenth Special Report of Session 2016-17

    01/04/2017
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    The UK government has agreed with much of a previous transport committee report (the ninth of the 2016-17 session) - but disagrees with the recommendation that “an independent and publicly available review of the Department’s franchising functions be commissioned.” However, areas where the government aligns with the committee include over recommendations that franchise bidding costs be streamlined; that the Department for Transport and Office of Rail and Road work together to reform track access charges for Control Period 6; and that consideration be given to restructuring franchises as they expire “to align better with the specific market they serve”.

  • Shaping Regional Infrastructure: Priorities for Growth

    01/04/2017
    CBI SearchResearchItems

    The CBI is calling for improvements to regional infrastructure as it says that as the UK “begins its exit from the EU, there will need to be a renewed focus on delivering growth that is felt in all parts of the country.” Reducing travel times between northern English cities, it says, “could provide access to a working population of up to 16 million, matching the number within an hour of London today.” Other rail issues highlighted include improving speed and capacity on the Midland and East Coast Main Lines; Trans-Pennine electrification; reducing East Midlands journey times; the Brighton Main Line upgrade programme; and east-West connectivity.

  • The Urban Transit Revolution

    01/03/2017
    The Economist Intelligence Unit SearchResearchItems

    Quoting the International Energy Agency this report says that between 2000 and 2010 worldwide travel “by road and rail increased by 40%”. The expectation is for the figure to double compared with that of 2010 by 2050. The report’s recommendations include making long-term commitments, using pilot projects as well as early collaboration, and “drawing clear lines between transport investments and economic vitality”.

  • Crossroads: choosing a future for London’s transport in the digital age

    01/03/2017
    Institute for Public Policy Research SearchResearchItems

    Are new digital technology-facilitated transport services such as journey planners and car clubs a positive or negative? This paper argues that “the pace and reach of technological change is such that a window of opportunity currently exists in which action can be taken by London’s government to ensure the positive potential of these services is realised. The chance of negative path dependency is intolerably high without action in this term.” It says new transport technologies should be built into the London Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

  • Connected and autonomous vehicles: the future?

    01/03/2017
    House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee SearchResearchItems

    Is government too focussed on the potential of automated cars rather than automated vehicles in other sectors? This wide-ranging report argues that government should play a coordinating role with stakeholders and take a leading role with development of standards. However, it also contends that the government “must broaden its focus so that its work on CAV [Connected and Autonomous Vehicles] cuts across all sectors and does not focus so heavily on highly-automated private road vehicles.”