UK: University of Hull spin-out company Railwhere is to provide software to help rail freight operators to route services in ways that optimise fuel use and carbon efficiency.
Railwhere builds on seven years of research at the university’s Logistics Institute with partners including Network Rail and Freightliner.
The system is based on Railwhere’s CORE database, which contains geospatial data on the rail network including gradients, clearances, speed restrictions, electrification and maximum trailing weights. It also covers more than 10 years of train schedules and actual movement data, updated in close to real-time.
Freightliner used the technology and worked with Innovate UK, technical specialist Aether and the University of Derby to optimise the transport of stone from the Mendips to London, cutting journey times and reducing fuel costs and emissions with fewer but longer trains.
‘We build intuitive software that empowers the rail freight industry to plan smarter, operate cleaner and make better-informed decisions’, said Railwhere Director Barrie Louw on May 15. ’Our software has proved its value and is now seen to be of strategic importance by our customers. In a time of economic uncertainty and significant environmental challenges it is more important than ever to make good decisions based on accurate, fast and accessible analysis.
‘The launch of Railwhere signifies our confidence that this business will be well received by the industry, can build on its successes and partnerships and will contribute to a stronger and greener rail network.’
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dave Petley said ‘Railwhere shows what can be achieved when business, education and research work in partnership. It builds on the university’s long and proud tradition of translating our knowledge and expertise into real world solutions.’
