Network Rail has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean Rail Research Institute (KRRI) to work together, including developing technology to ensure the rail network is more resilient to extreme weather.
The agreement builds on Network Rail’s existing partnerships with SBB, ProRail, BaneNor, and Trafikverket.
The MoU – signed by Dr. Myung Sagong, Director General of the R&BD Planning and Strategy Division at KRRI, and Robert Ampomah, Chief Technology Officer at Network Rail – represents a significant opportunity for collaboration over the next five years, following successful discussions between the Department of Transport, KRRI and Network Rail.
KRRI and Network Rail have identified several areas of mutual interest, including:
- Evaluation techniques for landslides.
- Subgrade instability using business information modelling based on geographical information systems.
- Assessment of rail infrastructure resilience to extreme weather.
- Inspection of railway structures using tethered drones and robotics.
Dr. Myung Sagong, KRRI, said: “This was a time to share the technological capabilities and experiences of both organisations, as well as areas of desired cooperation. We will strive to develop this into future Korea-UK international joint research projects and create technological synergy.”
Echoing these sentiments, Robert Ampomah, Network Rail, said: “Despite the distance between us, technology will bring us together. We at Network Rail look forward to working with KRRI to find innovative solutions that will make our railways safer and higher performing for our passengers and workforce.”
The agreement, signed on 24th September 2024 at InnoTrans 2024 in Berlin, is part of Network Rail’s International Research & Development Partnership Programme (IRDPP), which aims to deliver and develop technology to improve safety and ensure that the rail network is fit for passengers and freight customers.
Image credit: Network Rail
