Monash Institute of Railway Technology celebrates 25 years

Originally established in 1972 as BHP Melbourne Research Laboratories (MRL), the Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) is Australia’s leading track and vehicle railway research centre.

The institute has an international reputation for excellence in translational railway research.

Monash IRT is known for delivering projects that have reduced operating and capital costs, lowered greenhouse emissions and decreased the carbon footprint of the railway industry.

Professor Ravi Ravitharan, Director of Institute of Railway Technology at Monash University, said his team will continue to address the evolving challenges of railways, to ensure a sustainable and efficient railway system for generations to come.

“We’re honoured to celebrate this milestone at Monash University, where we have pioneered research, innovation and collaborations to advance the railway industry,” Professor Ravitharan said.

“We started with a team of 10 – now we have 70 railway experts who have completed over 700 projects worldwide, collaborating with over 170 railway entities.

“As Monash IRT looks to the future, we remain committed to working closely with industry, government and academic stakeholders to advance the railway industry through innovative research, education and training.”

Professor Ravitharan reflected on the past 25 years and what the institute has achieved for the industry.

“It has been rewarding to see the institute grow from a team of ten in 2000, to establishing itself as Australia’s leading track and vehicle railway research centre, with an international reputation for excellence in translational railway research,” he said.

“The Monash IRT team’s varied technical capabilities, experience, skillset, and backgrounds have enabled it to deliver innovative research and consultancies relevant to international and national railway stakeholder requirements.

“Globally recognised researchers, academics and practitioners are also collaborating as Rail Research Associates with the Monash IRT team, enabling it to provide whole of industry solutions to the expanding needs of railway advancement.”

Professor Mike Ryan, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice President at Monash University, added: “Monash IRT has led the way in developing advanced technologies and methodologies for the railway industry.

“Whether it’s implementing the world-leading Instrumented Vehicle Systems, or working with large partners like the Hong Kong MTR Corporation, Rio Tinto and Australian Rail Track Corporation to maximise their efficiencies, Monash IRT has built strong partnerships to drive impactful change,” said Professor Ryan.

“This reflects what Monash does so well: partnering with industry, community and governments, nationally and internationally, to enable us to produce exceptional, responsible research with real-world impact.”

Professor Ravitharan went on to explain the importance of the research institute, saying that it offers railway operators, and others in the supply chain, opportunities to directly engage with subject matter experts.

“Monash IRT offers a unique position for the railway industry, where dedicated railway researchers in a top-tier, publicly-owned tertiary institution work closely with industry partners to identify and develop opportunities for improvements across a broad range of railway disciplines,” he said.

“Monash IRT also offers the railway industry education and training opportunities to build knowledge and overall skillsets on advanced technologies. The nature of engagement between Monash IRT and railway industry partners is varied, providing confidential and discrete support, to embedding novel technologies and processes developed by IRT within their railway operations.

“Monash IRT is leading the way in multidisciplinary research around Australia’s ageing population and reduced mobility on railways. World class experts from the broader Monash University academic and research community are developing potential solutions for operators to make improvements to accessibility on public transport.”

Professor Ravitharan said the institute is now looking to the future.

In addition to its industry partners and government collaborations, Monash IRT has initiated a new network where five universities actively involved in railway research in Australia will work together. The aim is to identify and deliver critical railway research and innovation necessary for the future of Australia’s railways, and to advance an associated national rail manufacturing sector.

Professor Ravitharan said research to support operators and governments to improve rail safety at level crossings is now ongoing. This will include a low-cost non-visual risk management system to improve visibility and behaviour when approaching railway level crossings.

Other research is focusing on the use of high-strength recycled plastics in railways, such as repurposed rail sleepers and tram stops, diverting millions of tons of waste plastics from landfill into reusable sustainable products for railways.

Monash IRT also supports Federal and State Government initiatives including the National Rail Action Plan, the National Rail Manufacturing Plan and high-speed rail.

Australia faces a challenge around a lack of interoperability between rail networks. It’s a challenge the industry is working towards solving, and one Professor Ravitharan believes Monash IRT can support.

“Improvements achieved through a national approach to interoperability will ensure greater consistency across railway operations, which is essential for the digitalisation and modernisation of the rail system,” he said.

“It will enable greater flexibility in operations, increase passenger and freight capacity, up-scale rolling stock manufacturing and procurement, and support, through research, development and innovation, seamless type approvals for new and improved railway products and the associated training required for advanced railway system.

“Put simply, it will enable railway transportation to become more seamless and provide significant economic benefits to the nation.

“Vehicle-track interactions is one of the key considerations to achieve seamless interoperability, particularly when new railway infrastructure is built and/or new rolling stock is purchased.”

Monash IRT experts have contributed to national standards development and the improvements made across various railway disciplines. The research outcomes have influenced and enabled the development of current standards related to various railway components and practices.