Design, construction and operation of a REPOINT laboratory demonstrator

S. D. Bemment, R. Dixon, R. Goodall, C. P. Ward, N. Wright

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The REPOINT project, led by Loughborough University, has been active since March 2011. It seeks to improve the reliability, safety and maintainability of track switching technology, with the aim of increasing network capacity and lowering operating costs. To do this, the project is exploring combining mature concepts from other industries such as fault tolerance, line-replaceable units and passively safe design, with novel mechanical arrangements, in order to bring about a step change in performance. One design, based around a stub-switch arrangement, has showed particular promise and is the currently the subject of three patent applications covering the novel mode of operation. A laboratory-scale demonstrator of all key subsystems is currently under construction, under funding from the FutureRailway.org team. This is integrated with test and monitoring equipment, alongside a rapid-prototyping control system. This first-generation design will be used to prove the concept of operation and to develop the associated control and monitoring technology. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the REPOINT project to date, and the design and operation of the proposed novel REPOINT design. This paper firstly introduces the REPOINT project and highlights of the proposed novel design. It then discusses the simulation, modelling and design of the demonstrator rig, and the associated test and development equipment. The conclusions highlight the progress so far - on the REPOINT project and the Demonstrator rig - and comment upon potential next steps towards network deployment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationStephenson Conference Research for Railways 2015
PublisherInstitution of Mechanical Engineers
Pages221-231
Number of pages11
Volume2015-April
ISBN (Electronic)9781510855830
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015
EventStephenson Conference Research for Railways 2015 - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 21 Apr 201523 Apr 2015

Conference

ConferenceStephenson Conference Research for Railways 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period21/04/1523/04/15

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering

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