Rail CRC 2001-2007

Welcome to Australia's Premier Rail Research Centre.

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Railway Engineering and Technologies is a joint venture of Australia's leading rail industry companies and major universities to advance research and development, and increase the efficiency of the Nation's rail industry.

Rail CRC is Australia's largest research provider and is supported by the Federal Government's Cooperative Research Centre Programme -  the first and only transport-related CRC in the programme's history.

The Current Rail CRC is in its final year of operation with a newly funded seven-year Rail CRC to commence July 1, 2007.  Rail CRC formed company Rail Innovation Australia (RIA) to hold the Intellectual Property for the Current Rail CRC's research outcomes.  Link to RIA>>

Rail CRC’s research program was developed through direct and wide consultation with the Australian rail industry, with an industry survey distributed through the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), an industry forum and industry selection of Rail CRC projects by participant companies at the commencement of the Centre in 2001.

Rail CRC’s research program incorporates six themes:

• Theme 1: ‘Smart Train’ Intelligent Systems
• Theme 2: ‘Innovative/Automated Track Maintenance and Upgrading Technologies
• Theme 3: Optimal Traffic Control and Scheduling
• Theme 4: Systems and Standards for Rail Management
• Theme 5: New Materials and Components for Railways
• Theme 6: Industry Skills Development 
  

More than 40 rail research projects have been undertaken throughout the life of the Centre. Strong research and industry collaboration across each project and project management via steering committees incorporating university and industry representatives works to ensure that the outcomes of each research project have direct benefit, relevance and implementation opportunities within the industry.