Staying on Track, Growth Story

Pioneering research and skills

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Staying on track Pioneering software that could help trains get to the right place at the right time has been developed by EPSRC-sponsored researchers at the University of Leeds. Dr Raymond Kwan’s team created computer optimisation software which considers factors such as working hours, timetables and resource levels to provide a crew schedule that maximises efficiency.

Dr Kwan says, “Crew scheduling is a crucial but complex element of operations planning, we created the software by using mathematical algorithms that are well-suited for the size and complexity of the UK rail network”.

Spin-out company Tracsis was created in 2004 to market the software and within nine years the company reported revenues of £10.8 million and has 200 employees. Tracsis is now being used by 14 of the 20 train operating companies and is expanding internationally to Sweden, Australia and New Zealand.

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