10145895Feasibility study of demonstration and test Repoint track switch at GCREClosedSmall Business Research InitiativeInnovate UKRailway track switches allow vehicles to switch track and change route on a railway network, they are safety critical and are a single point of failure at many locations on virtually all rail networks. Recent Network Rail data suggests that 1 in 6 delays are caused by track switch faults and that 1/5 of the annual maintenance budget is spent on inspecting and maintaining these systems to avoid point failures. With the development of high-speed rail and the aging of conventional rail networks, this problem is not unique to the UK. This project aims to transform the resilience and reliability of railway infrastructure by developing and testing an innovative, fault-tolerant track-switch system. The Repoint track switch system offers a step change in operational and maintenance performance, by introducing a unique, globally patented, multi-channel redundancy switching system which was invented in the UK. This ensures that track switches remain operational even when individual components fail, reducing the risk of service disruptions. The system also incorporates real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities, allowing operators to anticipate and address potential issues before they cause significant operational problems. With this project, we will conduct a feasibility study to identify and plan the requirements for testing the new switch a rail network, such as at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE). The focus will be on validating Repoint's ability to provide continuous operation under real-world conditions where traditional track-switch systems may fail. We will aim to demonstrate the practical utility of the switch, and validate the theory that a combination of fault tolerance and predictive maintenance will offer railway operators significant long-term savings by reducing maintenance costs and minimising downtime. The project team will include the University of Birmingham's Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE), Retech Innovations Limited and Motion Concepts Ltd. The Repoint switch is a game-changing technology, and promises to improve the operational resilience and reliability of rail networks. This is particularly important in high-demand environments or regions prone to disruptions (key junctions, stations and depots). This project will enable the team to demonstrate the system's potential via installation, test, validation and demonstration at the new GCRE test-track.