Research, development and innovation

We’ve been working together for hundreds of years to create the railway. Collaborating, competing and innovating to transform how it’s used by our people and passengers.

In doing so, we’ve contributed to creating a world where pioneers are welcome. And now we want to see everyone get involved in innovation.

To meet the challenges and opportunities of the future, we’ve created the R&D portfolio. 7 programmes working in partnership with rail and other industries, to look for opportunities to innovate on the railway. Find out more about our collaborations below.

Through this partnership, we look at how research, development and technology can make train travel more comfortable, accessible, reliable and affordable. You can find out more about our strategy below.

Investing in the future

Over the last few years, Network Rail has worked to make it easier for other organisations to invest and build on the railway. We’ve opened up our standards to challenge and have introduced innovative procurement models for innovation. We’ve also put in place support for suppliers. We have dedicated test facilities. And a Product Acceptance team to make sure products are safe and fit for use on or around the railway.

Delivering innovation

From Shift2Rail, the biggest ever collaborative European investment in rail R&D, to accelerated innovation, our industry has transformed over the past 15 years thanks to focused programmes made possible by Research & Development (R&D) investments from Network Rail. All helping to improve services and asset management costs, and ultimately providing a better experience for our passengers and freight users. Read some examples of implemented projects and the difference they have made to the railway.

But we’re not finished yet, if you want to find out more about what we have already done or have planned for the future, please contact us.

Related pages

Research and development portfolio

How the Research and Development (R&D) Portfolio collaborates to innovate Our R&D portfolio brings together R&D in one place and unlocks benefits across Network Rail.  The most pressing outcome from the Portfolio is to make...

Our strategy and challenges for research, development and innovation

Research, development and innovation (RD&I) are critical to the future of rail Automatically operated trains Our strategy and challenges…Pioneers Welcome! Working with the UK rail industry through the Rail Technical Strategy (RTS), we are building...

Challenge statements

The challenge statements have been created to support our technical strategy and the railway’s future vision as set out in the Rail Technical Strategy Each challenge statement details a specific business obstacle. And provides detail on...

Test tracks

Our dedicated test tracks are the railway's link between innovation and implementation - and we want your thoughts on their future Our testing facilities are located across two sites in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire and...