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FEATURE
RAILSTAFF MARCH-APRIL 2022
CELEBRATING
INNOVATION
THE 2022 RAIL INNOVATION EXHIBITION HELD ON 22 MARCH SHOWCASED SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING INNOVATIONS AND PROJECTS THE RAIL SECTOR HAS TO OFFER. DAISY CHAPMAN-CHAMBERLAIN COVERED THE EVENT FOR RAILSTAFF.
I
nnovation is crucial to rail. As we move into the future, pushing and striving for better ways of working, more efficient services, happier customers, and a safer network for everyone are all key to success.
While innovation forms the core of these improvements, it also must be developed, delivered, and used in partnership, and with buy-in, from railway staff, both in frontline and back-office roles. Ensuring that new technologies and services work for the people that operate, manage, maintain, and indeed use the networks might seem obvious, but this is often overlooked in the excitement of new concepts or products. It also explains why collaboration was the core focus for innovators displaying their products at this year’s Rail Innovation Exhibition, which saw 500 delegates flock to discuss innovation and create new opportunities. The event, organised by Innovate UK KTN, on behalf of the Department for Transport and Innovate UK, and in partnership with the Railway Industry Association (RIA), celebrated innovation with 65 exhibitors showcasing success from Innovate UK funded projects and beyond.
FORWARD THINKING Kicking off the event, Rail Minister, Wendy Morton, focussed on the need for rail to move forward and not fall into old ways of thinking: “Our railways are at an existential moment - where they must change not just to survive but to thrive, now is not the time for conformity, or for going back or going by the book. We need creativity and outside the box thinking.” This was demonstrated by the exhibitors pushing for the best new technology, services, and ways of working to enhance rail for passengers and freight customers alike, in partnership with the people who keep the network running. One excellent example of this technology and human partnership approach comes from Window Seater (funded by First of a Kind from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK), which provides high quality geolocated audio stories which link all the fascinating features along the railway, connecting rail travellers to the world outside their window. Alongside Great Western Railway, they have developed a new Community Rail Content Platform that integrates local stories collected and held by people working within local community rail partnerships (CRPs), with passenger-facing technologies used by GWR. Among the lines already online for passengers to listen along to are Bristol to RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF
Find out more about GA’s services at www.galvanizing.org.uk/tech-advice Download GA’s new Circular Economy guide at www.galvanizing.org.uk/ circular-economy-guide
