New rail research body builds up head of steam

<p>The new Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies (Rail CRC) is developing a seven-year research program, it revealed yesterday (Monday, March 19).</p> <p>The centre, which takes over from an existing six-year-old body based at the university of Rockhampton, is to start in July.</p> <p>A &#8220core participants&#8221 meeting in Canberra last month chose present Rail CRC chief executive Dudley Roach as interim chief executive of its successor. </p> <p>Professor Roach had appointed an interim management team to develop the processes for establishing the centre and finalise its research program, Rail CRC said.</p> <p>&#8220The new CRC will work with the participants to develop a suite of research projects that aim to make a real difference to the way that railways do business, exploit technology and manage their operations for least impact on the environment, while improving safety in all areas,&#8221 Professor Roach said.</p> <p>&#8220This new CRC will benefit from the extensive and innovative research carried out by the current Rail CRC over the past six years. Much of this research is already benefiting Australia’s rail industry and is in use by our industry partners.&#8221</p> <p>Professor Roach said all rail CRC projects would be led by industry partners and developed in partnership with universities.</p> <p>The new Rail CRC was one of 14 successful CRCs to bid for the new round of the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Program funding with $21m promised to rail. </p> <p>The Australian rail industry will also contribute significantly to bring the new centre’s seven-year research budget to more than $105m.</p> <br />