Rail Technology Magazine Podcast

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Vaibhav Puri, Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation at the Rail Safety and Standards Board. Vaibhav discusses in detail the role of the RSSB in how innovation in rail should be regulated and controlled and what needs to be done to make it as much an environment for innovation and technological transformation as possible. But as the industry gets to grips with the changing world around it, it also wrestles with how to look after the data it inevitably will handle and Vaibhav discusses how best to handle data, the framework that need to exist to ensure privacy is in place and the capabilities of emerging technologies to change how the industry works with it. Vaibhav is an influential voice in the evolution of the UK and EU railway legislation, including supporting the Department for Transport and the sector in transitioning seamlessly to a post-EU exit legal landscape and he explains how his role has evolved as the industry navigates its way through the changes that are happening. Artificial intelligence is also discussed and we chat about its new role and its vast capabilities to fundamentally change the way rail looks in the future. But with great change, there is a race to ensure that the industry adjusts appropriately and the wider rail community are on board and up-to-date, Vaibhav discusses how the board are reacting and proactively helping facilitate these changes. We also discuss technology advancements in rail since Vaibhav started his role at RSSB and also what regulation frameworks might need to happen once Great British Railways is established.

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Suzanne Donnelly, Director of Passenger Revenue at Great British Railway Transition Team. Great British Railways has a remit to fundamentally change the way that rail in this country is run. It has at its core, a programme of change for the network, and how it can be the best in class for passengers and the industry. Suzanne discusses the role that GBRTT will play in this change, and the steps that are being put in place to ensure that passengers and operators can embrace the future for rail and work together. But how does the industry do this? Suzanne explains the initiatives that GBRTT have spearheaded since the transition began, including the enormously successful Great British Sale and the ticketing technology that is being implemented on certain routes. But Suzanne also looks to the future, and how revenue generation and the passenger are forming an integral part of GBRTT’s mission to fuse the industry together into a common focus. Suzanne has 16 years of experience in various commercial roles within the transport industry and is uniquely placed to offer insight into how rail can adopt technology, and commercial strategies to grow its revenue and sustainability. The podcast offers a great opportunity to hear how the future could look and how the present is looking for passengers and freight on the UK rail network

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Alicia Andrews, commercial director at Southeastern. Alicia is in charge of the commercial arm of one of Britain’s biggest operators on one of the Britain’s busiest lines. How can operators innovate and keep nimble in such a cost driven environment? Alicia explains how Southeastern tackle this and its plans to keep their focus on innovation. Revenue generation and passenger habits also take centre stage as we discuss how Southeastern have navigated the changing face of the commuter and the impact it has had on a broadly commuter-centric operator. As Alicia explains, striking the right balance between delivering for the passenger and delivering for the business means research, development and innovation is a challenge unique to rail. And she discusses how Southeastern approach this. But, bringing change and sharpening the commercial eye of train operators is a task which is not unique just to Southeastern as collaboration and the sharing of ideas within the industry means everybody benefits. The podcast is a unique insight into how an operator approaches its commercial operations and what it sees its future role in the industry is.

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Rail Director at STEM recruitment specialists, Matchtech about the challenges facing the industry in recruiting across the multiple different sectors currently and how the industry and the specialisms within rail have changed over the years and how it is still evolving. But we also discuss what can be done to alleviate the talent crunch that is affecting rail, how the industry can become more attractive to prospective talent and making sure that all the gaps in infrastructure can be filled. But also, Kenny discusses how recruitment within rail fits into the bigger picture on some of the most important infrastructure projects this country are currently working on.

This episode brought to you by Arup takes a further look at how the industry is tackling decarbonisation and managing the competing voices and interests when deciding on how to manage it. This panel discuss how the rail sector asks if the industry is doing everything it can to hit the targets set from across the wider rail sector – From civils and construction, through the supply chain and the operators. It also details how decarbonisation is tackled currently and how suppliers can become part of a wider effort to drive down emissions. Panellists on this debate are; Andy Belcham, Director, Arup Anna Humphries, Head of Sustainability and Social Value, Network Rail Sarah Jolliffe, Environmental Sustainability Business Partner, BAM This is the fourth and final episode of the leaders debate series taken from TransCity Rail North 2023, which was held in Manchester in November. The Leaders Debate's cover diverse challenges from across rail - Including cost management, collaboration and decarbonisation and how to manage it.

This episode brought to you by West Coast Partnership brings together some of the leading voices in regional rail for another one of TCR North’s Leader’s Debate. This panel discuss how the rail sector can collaborate with regional economies to drive growth and increase productivity and take a further look into how transport infrastructure can play a vital role in connecting people, businesses, and communities. It also explores how the session can increase the voice of rail when policy makers discuss the national transport needs. Panellists on this debate are; Nick Smith, Regional Growth Manager, West Coast Partnership Andrew Dixon, Head of High Speed Rail - Infrastructure Delivery & Development Programme, Manchester City Council Simon Elliott, Head of Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester Chris Coleman, Industry Programme Director, Network Rail

The needs of customers and the industry at large forms the heart of this debate, as the panel discuss where ensuring the industry needs are in sync with the passengers needs. Of course, to deliver on these improvements, requires budget – And the panel produce a lively debate on where and how spending should be prioritised in a time of restricted budgets and a stiff economic climate. Panellists on this debate are; James Corker, Rail Sector Director, Skanska UK PLC Paul Harwood, Programme Director, GBRTT Elena Stebbings, Project Director, Mott MacDonald Andrew Inskip, Senior Estimator, Severfield PLC

Join us in our first leaders debate from TransCity Rail North 2023, brought to you by Mott MacDonald, where our panellists discuss how putting passengers first can reframe the conversation for the North and deliver better outcomes for both the industry and the passengers Panellists on this debate are; Karen Heppenstall, Head of Rail, Midlands Connect Tricia Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Trains Darren Oldham, Rail and Road Director, Transport for the North Ken Norbury, Transportation Unit General Manager, Mott MacDonald Jessica Patterson, Buildings & Cities Social Outcomes Lead, Mott MacDonald

In the final episode of our TCR South 2023 Leaders Debate series, we take a look at one of the hottest topics – AI Technology Digitising the railway, complex route networks, tight timetables and growing passenger numbers, IoT and AI artificial will play a major role in the future of the rail industry. This discussion covers all of the major talking points on how AI will affect and eventually change rail. Panellists on this debate are; Brad Smith Head of Public & Passenger Safety, Network Rail Vaibhav Puri, Director Future Labs, Rail Safety & Standards Board Danny Gonzalez, Digital Experience Transformation Director, GBRTT

In episode three of our TCR South 2023 Leaders Debate series, the ambitious Southern Integrated Delivery takes centre stage. The debate looks at the southern regions huge £9 billion renewals programme and the trailblazing alliance that has been brought together to achieve it. The detailed conversation looks at how it was formed, its approach and the opportunities across the whole of the region that the programme aims to deliver. Panellists on this debate are;

In episode two of our TCR South 2023, Leaders Debate series, we explore collaboration and what needs to be done within the industry to adopt new solutions. The debate, brought to you by LNER was titled “How do we encourage industry collaboration and the spread and adoption of new solutions to cross-industry challenges” It touches upon the need for an industry so used to working in silo’s to begin working together to push forward innovation, especially in the space of new technologies. Buit also, given the challenges that exist from policy, cost and budget across the rail industry, this debate asks if the time is now to overcome them together. Panellists on this debate are;

How does rail manage in a world where every resource comes at a premium? How does it improve and drive changes in the way it does things? These are questions posed in the first Leaders Debate at this year’s Trans City Rail South event; In an era of scarce resources, where does the rail industry focus efforts to modernise and drive productivity? – Brought to you by Arup. Guests for the panel discussion included; · Chris Myers, Associate Director Digital Services, Arup · Phil Harrison, Director, Arup · Rubina Greenwood, Senior Programme Manager, Future Command, Control & Signalling, Network Rail · Martin Fenner, Business Development Director, Tilt Consulting The panel discussed how the industry is moving at a fast pace, changing how data is collected and evolving ways of working to suit the new technologies that rail is presented with. This episode, with four of the industry leaders within the sector, explores through a lively panel discussion how exactly they tackle these changes and how to prioritise future ambitions. This is the first of the TCR South 2023 Leaders debate series, which was held at the end of September, in London.

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we take a look back at this years TransCity Rail South event, review some of the key speeches and discussions with highlights from Tim Walden, Rob Thomas, Rubina Greenwood. Collaboration, technological advances, digital evolution and capital investment were key themes discussed over the one-day event, held in the centre of London.

Climate change and how the rail industry is tackling it, is a key question which the industry is needing to confront. But as we look towards an unpredictable future, rail is beginning to get ahead of the challenge with its continued technological advance. Network Rail is at the forefront of this, and in this episode of Rail Technology Magazine, we chat with Mona Silhota, Technical Head of Drainage and Lineside for Network Rail as well as Michael Brown, Head of Delivery for Intelligent Infrastructure at Network Rail. Both of them discuss how they are combatting challenges, not only with climate change but also with maintenance and asset management and the role that ever-improving technology and data modelling plays in predicting the world around us. There is also discussion on Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure and how it is utilising data to turn reactivity into proactivity.

This month’s podcast is with the Head of Digital Ticketing Services at the Rail Delivery Group, John Backway. The podcast covers some of the most pressing issues within the sector currently. John chats about how digital ticketing is changing how people interact with the rail network around them and how the advancing technology is making printed ticketing a redundant practice. Efficiencies for customers is at the heart of work that Rail Delivery Group does and this is a key part of John’s remit. The podcast covers how digital ticketing helps drive those efficiencies, applying a common sense approach to how to utilise technology and how he thinks it is changing the industry.

The latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast features Danny Vaughan, the Head of Metrolink in Manchester. Danny has worked in light rail for 25 years and has overseen expansion projects across the city – Including the recently opened Trafford Park Line. He discusses how light rail offers options and flexibility where mainline rail cannot, the hopeful future of TfGM’s all encompassing Bee Network, which hopes to change and simplify how transport in Manchester works and Metrolink’s place in that future. Danny also expands on his experience, how he hopes for a better transport system and what he thinks technology within the industry can achieve.

On the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast features Will Doyle, CEO of Rail Diary. Will has grown Rail Diary since its inception into a key project management tool that uses data and intelligence to help site and commercial managers make decisions with all of the information in front of them. We look at how data is changing the landscape for both on-site project management within the rail industry and how digitalisation is helping commercial decisions to be made. Will shares his of experiences starting a company and ,how he navigated the early setbacks and how he managed to convince some of the biggest players in the industry to try Rail Diary. Discover the next innovations within the industries and what the digital landscape within rail could look like in a few years. The Rail Technology Magazine Podcast covers the some of the biggest topics within rail including innovation, policy and how the industry is tackling climate change. Our guests bring you unique and exclusive podcast episodes packed full of news, views and insight from rail industry leaders and innovators, responsible for shaping the future of the UK's railway. Get the answers to the most pressing questions for the railway industry. The Rail Technology Podcast is available to stream below and is also available on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcast and many more...

The latest episode of Track Talk, the rail industry podcast is now available, bringing you closer to the leaders responsible for building, shaping and delivering transformational rail services and infrastructure across the UK. The new episode of the podcast, released today, features Andrew Haines, Chief Executive at Network Rail, and Richard Hill, Local Operations Manager at Network Rail. They offer their key industry insight as to how the role of business leaders helps drive action to combat climate change across the rail sector. The discussion touches upon topics such as the way that the railway industry needs to adapt to a more circular economic role, how we can help local and wider communities by volunteering or employee engagement programmes, and the ways that decarbonisation can, not just improve the environmental sustainability of the sector, but also provide passengers with enhanced journeys. Covering everything from the environment, infrastructure and workforce to how the pandemic shaped the industry and how the sector keeps trains on the track during periods of extreme weather, our guests bring you unique and exclusive podcast episodes packed full of news, views and insight from rail industry leaders and innovators, responsible for shaping the future of the UK's railway. Get the answers to the most pressing questions for the railway industry. Our Track Talk Rail Podcast is available to stream below, or also available on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcast and many more...

In this latest edition of the Track Talk we sat down with Malcolm Holmes, Executive Director at West Midlands Rail Executive, to discuss his current role and the state of the rail sector within the Midands, then focusing the conversation on Malcolm’s “radical shift” as he transitions into his new role, helming operations for a heritage steam railway. Acting as the current new General Manager of the Great Central railway, an eight-and-a-half-mile stream railway in Leicestershire, Malcolm will be overseeing the day-to-day running of the railway, whilst working alongside the board and directors. This represents an operational management role, as opposed to his former strategic managerial position. This new episode of the Track Talk podcast acts as a love letter to the cultural importance of heritage rail across the UK, touching upon the social value that these tourist attractions can bring to the modern rail sector. To find out more about Malcolm and how we can support these traditional steam railways, please enjoy the conversation and tune in for some informative fun.

This episode of Track Talk sees a discussion with Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South Iain Stewart, Chair of the Transport Committee. The focus of this episode revolves around disruptive technologies within the rail sector, specifically the impact that the new, innovative advancements and trends might have across all modes of transport. The Transport Committee are taking proposals from people in the sector who are in the know about innovations that deserve more attention, so we have given them the platform to discuss the process and hear what the committee is looking for.