<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-03T15:52:43Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/B85B7F87-9633-4C69-A45D-D2DBCD39B018" ns1:id="B85B7F87-9633-4C69-A45D-D2DBCD39B018"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/87FB6986-BF26-410E-8277-60B93097FD61" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/AD13DB99-7F18-4C0A-8CFA-2869D73560F1" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/642C5EE8-BD12-4A57-91EE-697102D8FA97" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/AD13DB99-7F18-4C0A-8CFA-2869D73560F1" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/30256920-3ABE-4722-86EF-DC74DCFE4880" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/51E40EB4-C3B0-41B5-A3B8-1EFC0A1AD1DA" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2014-08-30T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/15D61000-4222-4C5B-A07A-944063BC0487" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2012-08-31T23:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">101209</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>Cable Carrying and Accoustically Damped Thermoplastic Sleepers (CAD_TPC)</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Collaborative R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>Cables need to cross rail lines at regular intervals as part of the signalling system &amp;amp; must be electrically isolating. There are major disadvantages with the current methods of cable crossings which cause significant disruption when they fail &amp;amp; are expensive to install. Futhermore, urban rail systems can generate unwanted noise and this is often due to the use of concrete or steel sleepers. This project will deliver a range of unique, reinforced thermoplastic sleepers to address the practical issues of cable management &amp;amp; emission of sound to the environment and will demonstrate their performance in field trials with London Underground and Moorland &amp;amp; City Railways. This project addresses aspects of cost, carbon, capacity &amp;amp; customer satisfaction for the rail infrastructure. The project is a partnership of MERL Ltd, Oxford Plastic Systems Ltd and Testsure Technology Ltd with the TSB.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>