The Institute of Railway Research (IRR) is a world-class centre for railway engineering research, development, and technology innovation. Our work has helped the industry to reduce operating and maintenance costs, whilst improving reliability and safety. The IRR’s research is particularly relevant to the agendas of safety, sustainability, and carbon reduction. For example, new materials, manufacturing technologies and systems of maintenance and condition monitoring can increase cost-effectiveness for rail operators, and the transition to electrification can be accelerated by research that will make overhead power distribution much more efficient and reliable.
Virtual Reality Tour - Have a look at the IRR labs here
The IRR is setup with three core teams handling a broad range of projects from long term fundamental research to short term industry problem-solving studies and applied industrial R&D.
Discover the various outputs of the Institute here
Our research staff are creative and innovative practitioners who have wide industrial and research experience.
The Institute of Railway Research (IRR) has invested heavily in its facilities and equipment and has just opened a new £4.5M laboratory.
View the PhD opportunities available with the IRR.
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"This report demonstrates the huge potential for rail innovation within the region and emphasises the benefits of Universities and Industry working together in partnership. Unipart Rail, as a founder member of UKRRIN and host of the new Technology and Innovation Hub at Doncaster, is well placed to build on this potential to deliver benefits both within the region and to the whole industry." Prof Steve Ingleton.
The Institute of Railway Research provides a range of industrial R&D and consultancy services to the railway industry in the UK and worldwide
Advancing technology and business process in the railway supply chain
UKRRIN (the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network) is a new initiative designed to create a powerful collaboration between academia and industry.
Download our Manchester wheel-rail contact benchmark files here
The IRR is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in railway research. Read our impact statement to learn more about what we do.
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