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For over 25 years, our specialists have been at the forefront of transport innovation. From optimising routes to enabling real-time decision-making, we empower transport operators across Europe with the insights they need to make smarter, data-driven choices.
One of our most significant contributions has been in shaping the British rail network. Our modelling and simulation team has played a pivotal role in supporting rail operations to be more efficient, adaptable, and future-ready.
Put simply, modelling and simulation allow us to test ideas virtually before they meet the real world. Whether it's predicting how new rail routes will ease congestion, planning for future passenger demand, or integrating new technology, these tools enable smarter, data-driven decisions that keep Britain moving.
Here are some of the transformational projects our team has led.
We provided Network Rail with a capacity assessment of the Castlefield route between Manchester Piccadilly and Castlefield Junction. This is an extremely busy train route suffering from congestion with multiple services running through a two-track bottleneck section of railway used by local and national services, linking Manchester’s railway routes to the national network.
The study examined a proposed track layout change and how that would improve service performance using digital modelling and simulation technologies. By using our specialist software, we tested variables such as signalling technology, driver behaviour (automatic and manual) and timetabling to determine the maximum trains per hour across this section of railway. The results from the study were provided to Network Rail to show the rail services could be improved to provide additional and more frequent train services increasing punctuality for its passengers.
East Coast Digitisation Programme
We worked with Siemens Mobility UK to model several of its new digital signalling plans to determine the impact of the changes on the railway network performance, including train journey times and frequency of services.
Using our modelling and simulation software meant we could make iterative changes to the signalling layouts and re-run the tests quickly to see the impact. The results provided critical performance analysis and enabled Siemens to validate the design and identify the optimal signalling layout – helping to keep Britain’s railways running efficiently on the new technology.
Transpennine Route Upgrade
We worked in partnership with Arup to develop the Rail Signalling Visualisation Tool (RSVT) that enables train drivers and operators to simulate future digital signalling in a real-world interactive visualisation environment. The benefits of this approach mean that signalling designs and layouts can be assessed by drivers earlier in the design lifecycle and adjustments can be made making a safer design, therefore reducing costly late change.
By using real-world simulation and modelling, we can test and validate designs virtually, providing comparative analysis and critical improvements to our customers. This data helps our customers combine safety, performance and efficiency to achieve the best design for improving Britain’s railways for all.
Learn more about how our modelling and simulation specialists can support your transformation programmes.