New business spins out rail-tested technology to transform freight industry

The University of Hull has announced the launch of an exciting new company offering expertise to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the rail freight industry.

Railwhere has been built on seven years of research and innovation at the University’s Logistics Institute. The business will offer award-winning technology to support rail freight operators to deliver more goods at lower cost and with reduced emissions, promoting a shift from road to rail for freight.

The Logistics Institute and Lampada Digital Solutions, a subsidiary of the University, worked with partners including Network Rail and Freightliner to develop software that allows operators to route services more effectively and improve the fuel and carbon efficiency of their operations.

Their work has gained industry-wide recognition and demonstrates the value of industry/university collaborations in building more sustainable businesses.

Railwhere Director Barrie Louw said: “I am delighted to be leading a team whose expertise brings transformational technology to the rail freight industry. We build intuitive software that empowers the rail freight industry to plan smarter, operate cleaner, and make better-informed decisions.

“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.

Using University of Hull technology, and working with Innovate UK, technical specialist Aether Limited and the University of Derby, Freightliner restructured transport of quarried stone from the Mendips to Greater London, cutting journey times, reducing fuel costs and emissions. Longer trains now transport more goods over fewer days, freeing up capacity and resources. 

That work won the ‘Rail Freight Project of the Year’ and ‘Sustainability and Safety’ awards. Network Rail and Lampada also secured the ‘Rail Team of the Year’ award for their work in developing and implementing an application used by planners to optimise train weights.

Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: “The University of Hull plays a vital role in driving sustainable and inclusive growth, collaborating with businesses across diverse sectors, across our region, nationally and globally to shape a more resilient and inclusive future.

“Across the University we are building the infrastructure and networks to improve skills; to drive innovation; and to extend enterprise and business growth. Our world-class research is also identifying practical solutions to tackle the complex challenges we face around sustainability.

“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.”

Emma Calverley, director of Knowledge Exchange at the University of Hull said:

"Our goal as a university is to promote a culture of collaboration to advance excellence in research and enterprise and to generate knowledge and research that translates into benefits for the community, the economy and society.

“We are incredibly proud of the hard work that has gone into forging strong partnerships with businesses, translating the industry leading expertise we have here at the university to create a company that will help transform the freight sector.”

For more information on Railwhere visit www.railwhere.co.uk and visit our website to find out more about Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Hull.