In the News


Culture of Innovation

Rail Express – 9 June 2019

Stuart Thomson, CEO and managing director of the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre shares how the industry has collaborated on innovation, research, and development across the past six years.

Formed in 2014, the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has continued to work closely with the industry to assist the rail sector to adopt future digital technologies and address coming workforce needs.

Read the full article online.


Victoria’s public transport workforce ready to diversify, finds research

Intelligent Transport – 18 May 2020

A collaborative research project has come to the conclusion that now is the time for Victoria to plan for significant growth and technological change.

New research has suggested that Victoria’s public transport sector has an “exciting opportunity” to address emerging skills shortages through increasing the participation of women and young people.

Read the full article online.


Transport investment creates opportunity for skills development, local manufacturing

Rail Express – 18 May 2020

There is a significant opportunity to grow skills and investment in the Australian public transport sector, a new report has found.

Conducted by the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Victoria University, and the Victorian Department of Transport, the report identifies changes to skills delivery and investment could fuel the sector and its supply chain.

Read the full article online.


Victoria’s public transport workforce ready to revitalise

Mirage – 18 May 2020

New research reveals Victoria’s public transport sector has an exciting opportunity to address emerging skills shortages through increasing the participation of women and young people.

A nine-month collaborative project between the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Victoria University (VU) and the Victorian Department of Transport (DoT) was based on surveys, interviews and forums with Victoria’s rail, tram and bus operators, young Australians and peak industry bodies.

Read the full article online.


3D tech solution keeps trains moving

Collaborate Innovate Magazine – May 2020

Keeping trains on schedule during peak hour is a major challenge for rail operators, with crowds often causing trains to ‘dwell’ at stations for longer than usual. This can force delays and longer commutes, as well as reduce the number of trains running across the network.

The Rail Manufacturing CRC (RMCRC) has teamed up with the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and integrated services company Downer to solve this problem.

Read the full article online.


Skills for early career researchers

Collaborate Innovate Magazine – May 2020

Making the transition from academia to industry is always a challenge for early career researchers. The skills needed for the private sector don’t always line up with those developed within a higher degree by research program.

Read the full article online.


Surviving a Digital Tsunami: the Rail Manufacturing CRC’s legacy

Rail Express – 12 December 2019

A digital revolution is underway in the rail manufacturing industry, says Stuart Thomson, CEO of the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

With the growth of emerging technologies which will disrupt the way industry conducts its business, “the changes are going to be rapid and the rail industry needs to be ready,” Rail Manufacturing CRC CEO, Stuart Thomson, tells Rail Express.

Read the full article online.


NSW trials smart solution for congestion issues

Rail Express – 15 October 2019

Transport for NSW is currently running trials intended to minimise station congestion and improve on-time train operation. The Responsive Passenger Information (RPI) Project utilises Sydney Trains CCTV systems and WIFI technology to support data aggregation at Town Hall Station.

Read the full article online.


Digitising our future: Improving passenger experience through innovation

Rail Express – 10 October 2019

With governments at local, state and federal levels gradually approaching a consensus on the importance of growing public transport, Australia is on the cusp of an urban rail construction, operations and maintenance boom.

Read the full article online.


Top industry award for Australian rail innovation

AMT Magazine – August/September 2019

A world-leading technology to minimise passenger dwell time at rail stations has received the top Excellence in Innovation award at the Cooperative Research Centre Association’s annual conference.

Read the full article online.


New Infrared Technology to Reduce Dwell Times in Sydney

Le Rail – August 7, 2019

Downer has partnered with the University of Technology Sydney, in collaboration with the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, to develop Dwell Track. This technology is an infrared digital imaging system that aims to optimise customer flow and safety on platforms. Wynyard Station was the first to get the new technology.

Read the full article online.


Sydney Trains commences Dwell Track trial to ease crowding, reduce delays

CIO – August 7, 2019

Depth cameras and computer vision have this week been rolled out at Wynyard Station in Sydney, in an effort to reduce platform crowding and cut the time it takes for trains to load and unload passengers.

Read the full article online.


Swinburne origami-inspired materials to strengthen trains

Manufacturers’ Monthly – May 20, 2019

Professor Guoxing Lu from Swinburne’s department of mechanical engineering and product design is collaborating with the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre to find better metamaterial to strengthen the core of rail sandwich panels.

Read the full article online.


One-on-one with Stuart Thomson

AMT Magazine – April/May 2019

Dr Stuart Thomson is the CEO and Managing Director of the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). He spoke to William Poole.

Read the full article online.



Sydney Trains executive joins Rail Manufacturing CRC Board

Manufacturers’ Monthly – December 18, 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is strengthening industry representation on its board following the appointment of Jasbir Tumber, deputy executive director fleet maintenance at Sydney Trains. Rail Manufacturing CRC chairman Paul Johnson said he is pleased to officially welcome Tumber to the board.

Read the full article online.



Closing the gap for train passengers

Infrastructure Magazine – December 10, 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), in partnership with Downer Group and Monash University, is funding a $2.4 million innovative project to improve access for Australian rail passengers getting on and off trains. This 18-month project involves manufacturing and testing a device for use between a station platform and the train door, to close the gap when passengers board and depart the train.

Read the full article online.



Mind the gap project aims to improve passenger access and safety

Global Railway Review – December 4, 2018

A new project is focused on passenger accessibility and safety, with the end goal of ensuring the railway is easily usable for all. The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has decided to fund an innovative project to improve access for Australian rail passengers getting on and off trains. Partnering with Downer Group and Monash University, this 18-month project involves manufacturing and testing a device that can be used between a station platform and the train door to close the gap when passengers board and alight the train.

Read the full article online.



ARA Smart Rail Route Map report released

Rail Express – November 28, 2018

The Australasian Rail Association (ARA) has released a report on long-term priorities and actions for the development of digital and telecommunication technologies within the rail industry. Produced in collaboration with industry, and supported by the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Deakin University, the Smart Rail Route Map provides a 30-year guide for helping the rail industry plan for the rapidly changing technology landscape.

Read the full article online.



Harnessing processing power to develop smarter train assembly

Rail Express Magazine – November 2018

Terence Vu sees a future where robots can work out the best way to assemble rolling stock components. The PhD student spoke with Rail Express about his project.

Read the full article online (pages 48-49).



The energy technology that could overhaul tram systems

Infrastructure Magazine – September 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has collaborated with CSIRO and the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) to build a prototype energy management system that has the potential to replace overhead electricity lines and could possibly overhaul current light rail power systems.

Read the full article online (page 74).



Work commences on Australia rail technology map

AMT Magazine – August/September 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is partnering with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Deakin University to develop a Smart Rail Route Map for Australia’s rail industry. The $550,000 project ($200,000 in cash funding from Rail Manufacturing CRC and ARA and $350,000 in In-kind contributions) will identify a long-term vision for technology in the rail industry over the next 30 years through the establishment of a common view of priorities, themes, timelines and visions.

Read the full article online (page 21).



Behind the scenes at CSIRO

Manufacturers’ Monthly – July 27, 2018

Manufacturers’ Monthly visited the material science and engineering building at CSIRO’s Lindfield site in Sydney to learn about some of its collaborative and innovative projects. Walking down the long corridors of the material science and engineering building at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO’s) Lindfield site in Sydney, the first impression one might get is that the laboratories are working in isolation from the rest of the world, or even from other laboratories in the facility.

Read the full article online.



Developing a Smart Rail Route Map for Australia’s rail industry

Australian Manufacturing – July 16, 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has teamed up with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Deakin University to develop a Smart Rail Route Map for Australia’s rail industry.

Read the full article online.



Collaborative research to map route for rail technology development

Rail Express – July 13, 2018

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is teaming up with the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Deakin University to map out the rail industry’s long-term priorities for technological development and innovation.

Read the full article online.



Australian Railway Association Working With Academics on ‘Smart Rail Route Map’

railway-news.com – July 12, 2018

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), and Deakin University, Victoria, are working together to produce a Smart Rail Route Map for the rail industry in Australia.

Read the full article online.


Rail technology map project launches in Australia

Railway Technology – July 12, 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has partnered with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Deakin University (Victoria) to develop a ‘Smart Rail Route Map’, a project that aims to identify a plan for technology in the rail industry for the next 30 years.

Read the full article online.



Smart rail route map under development

Infrastructure Magazine – July 12, 2018

A collaboration between the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), the Australian Railway Association (ARA) and Deakin University will see the development of a Smart Rail Route Map for Australia’s rail industry.

Read the full article online.



The project to establish an Australian rail technology map progresses

Global Railway Review – July 11, 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is partnering with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Deakin University to develop a ‘Smart Rail Route Map’ for Australia’s rail industry.

Read the full article online.



Australian rail technology map to be developed

Railway Pro – July 11, 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in collaboration with Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Deakin University will develop a Smart Rail Route Map for Australia’s rail industry. The project is expected for completion by 31 December 2018.

Read the full article online.



Supercapacitor magic, making tram power lines *disappear*

CSIROscope – June 18, 2018

Trams are as Melbourne as the MCG and an obsession with coffee. But while Melbourne has the world’s largest tram network (250 km), other Australian cities like Sydney and Newcastle are rekindling their love affair with light rail. Until recently it’s come at a cost, the thick “spiderweb” of overhead cables needed to keep electrified light rail on the move.

Read the full article online.


Prototyped CSIRO energy management system to power rail delivered to China

Manufacturers’ Monthly – June 18, 2018

An energy management system prototype that has the potential to replace overhead electricity lines for trams has been built at CSIRO’s Lindfield site in Sydney. This first full‐sized prototype unit is a result of a Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) project involving CSIRO and the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) which is looking into the use of supercapacitors to power light rail tram vehicles.

Read the full article online.


Developing supercapacitors to power rail rolling stock

Rail Express – May-June 2018

The University of Technology Sydney and the HEC Group will work together to develop hybrid supercapacitors to power rolling stock, in a project funded and overseen by the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

Read the full article online (page 53).


Engineering student wins national Early Researchers Showcase Competition

University of Wollongong – May 29, 2018

University of Wollongong (UOW) PhD student Chuhao Liu is the winner of this year’s Cooperative Research Centre Association’s Australian-wide Early Researchers Showcase Competition. Chuhao, a student in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, was eligible for the award through his scholarship with the Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

Read the full article online.


How Kinect tech and two watermelons could make Australia’s trains run on time

Computerworld – May 25, 2018

In Japan they called them shiri oshi or ‘tushy pushers’, the white gloved railway platform attendants that with some strategic jostling and a well-timed shove, packed commuters onto crowded trains at speed.They have, in the most part, now been replaced with platform screen doors, at which commuters queue ready to board.

Read the full article online.


Hybrid supercapacitors to power rail rolling stock

Manufacturers’ Monthly – May 4, 2018

The Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is overseeing a new project between the HEC Group and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to develop hybrid supercapacitors to power rail rolling stock.

Read the full article online.


Fostering innovation in rail

AMT Magazine – April/May 2018

With Industry 4.0 heavily influencing future trends in manufacturing, considerable opportunities exist for rail companies to continue evolving and taking advantage of new and emerging innovations in advanced manufacturing.

Read the full article online (page 90).


Rail Manufacturing CRC on the hunt for final round of projects

Rail Express Magazine – Issue 2, November 2017

The Commonwealth Government sponsored Rail Manufacturing CRC is looking to create more partnerships between rail businesses and universities in its final open funding round. Rail Express spoke with Chief Executive Officer Dr Stuart Thomson about the CRC’s model, and what could be next for the organisation.

Read the full article online (page 56).


The exciting future of customer experience innovation

University of Technology Sydney website – October 12, 2017

View the video presentation and technology demonstrations of the Responsive Passenger Information Systems, which aims to alleviate congestion within Sydney’s rail network by developing a relationship between customer actions and needs in real time, and provisioning services to respond to shifting customer needs.

View the video presentation online.


HEC Group joins Rail CRC to put battery project on-track

Manufacturers’ Monthly – March 2, 2017

HEC Group will join Australia’s Rail Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) to help develop a lithium battery project. Overseen by the Rail Manufacturing CRC, the project will focus on the development of new materials for lithium ion batteries to be used for rail vehicle propulsion, regenerative braking, signalling systems and auxiliary applications.

Read the full article online.


Up to $1m available for rail R&D projects

AMT Magazine – December 2016/January 2017

The Rail Manufacturing CRC has announced a new funding cycle for its Rail Innovation Gateway project submissions. The Rail Innovation Gateway is open to applications from businesses either working in the rail industry or with the potential to do so, who are asked to submit research and development project proposals focused on increasing competitiveness, capacity and productivity in Australian rail manufacturing.

Read the full article online (page 28).



Time for Australian rail manufacturers to get innovative

AMT Magazine – October/November 2016

Rail is undergoing a significant resurgence across Australia. With the current boom in rail projects in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast and Newcastle, this strong pipeline of work is underpinning the sustainability of the rail manufacturing sector. By Dr Stuart Thomson, CEO of the Rail Manufacturing CRC.

Read the full article online (page 76).


It’s not just big data, but new data too (UTS/Downer project)

Sydney Radio 2ser’s Think Digital program – October 3, 2016

Analytics and “Big Data” are becoming ever more prevalent, as new technology brings down costs and statistics is brought to bear in new and interesting ways. But technology isn’t just making it easier to crunch the numbers, it’s also allowing us to capture data on things we never could before.

More information online.


Rail gets a manufacturing CRC

Government News – July 23, 2015

Australia has a new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for the rail industry. The Rail Manufacturing CRC was launched by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane’s offsider, Karen Andrews, his Parliamentary Secretary, in the outer Melbourne suburb of Dandenong this week.

Read the full article online.


New Rail Manufacturing CRC successful in latest funding round

Manufacturers’ Monthly – February 24, 2014

The Rail Manufacturing CRC was awarded $31 million to “develop products, technologies and supply chain networks to increase the capability and globally competitive position of the rail industry.

Read the full article online.

Translate »