The Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and
Technologies – Rail CRC – was established on 1 July
2001 as part of the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research
Centres Programme. The Centre commenced as an unincorporated joint
venture between six universities and six major Australian rail
companies – the first transport-related CRC in the
programme’s history.
Rail CRC was established with a vision for ‘a new era for
rail in Australia – world standard railway systems through
cooperative research’. Throughout six years of innovative
research, Rail CRC became arguably the premier rail research centre
in the nation, with the combined expertise of more than 150
researchers working collaboratively with industry partners to
deliver valuable research, knowledge and innovation to the railway
industry.
Rail CRC received Commonwealth funding for six years until 30
th
June 2007. In addition, Rail CRC secured cash and in-kind support
from industry and universities. With participants across freight
and urban systems, rail operators and track owners combined, Rail
CRC was charged with increasing rail’s efficiency,
reliability, safety and skills through world-leading research for
the betterment of the Australian rail industry and the community at
large.
At the end of six years and with the closing of Rail CRC in June
2007, the Commonwealth Department of Science, Education and
Training approved licensing of Rail CRC Intellectual Property to
the spin-off company
Rail Innovation Australia.
Rail Innovation Australia is now charged with commercializing key
technologies developed in Rail CRC and growing this business going
forward.
