Institution news
Q: Please could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience with regards to the rail industry?
David Shirres (DS): In recent years I have written extensively on the subject of both UK and rail decarbonisation for Rail Engineer. I was lead author of the “Why Rail Electrification” report.
Q: Do you think that the priority of capacity has been trumped by comfort due to COVID-19’s impact on customer use of the railway?
DS: As far as I am aware no trains have not been modified to provide less seats with more legroom. Hence, I am not convinced that capacity has been reduced to provide greater comfort. In the long term a significant increase in rail capacity will be needed as transport decarbonisation requires a significant modal shift to rail.
Q: In light of the William-Shapps Plan for Rail, what do you think should be the engineering priorities for the next year?
DS: 1) A long-term integrated infrastructure / rolling stock / timetable plan 2) An improved engineering access regime strikes the right balance between customer needs and cost of available access windows 3) Reducing costs, in particular cost-effective electrification.
Q: How do you think rail engineers could help to rebuild passenger confidence in sustainable transport?
DS: Most passengers take railway engineering for granted and only think about it when something goes wrong. Ensuring a reliable railway therefore has to be the priority.
Q: Regarding new technologies in rail propulsion, what would you say are the ones to watch for the future?
DS: A reliable, green railway can be achieved by the use and development of existing technologies, particularly electric traction and overhead line equipment. There is a danger that “new” technologies could be a distraction. Indeed, some politicians have proposed that new technologies could replace the need for electrification. As far as technologies new to the railway are concerned, those that reduce emissions from the existing diesel train fleet have a big role prior to eventual electrification.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this year’s face to face Refocusing the Railway seminar?
DS: To understand all the issues that rail engineers face in order to understand how they can best contribute to the railway of the future.
The Refocusing the Railway: Engineering in a post-pandemic Williams-Shapps world seminar will be taking place on 20 October 2021 at One Birdcage Walk, London.
Join this seminar to:
- Engage with the latest thinking on the Great British Railway and what it means for cost-effective engineering and innovation across the industry
- Hear how railway engineers continue to assure delivery of a safe service and rebuild passenger confidence in sustainable transport
- Explore the emerging mix of new and supplementary traction power
- Consider anew how road and rail complement and/ or compete, particularly for freight
- Discover what’s new and on the horizon – for passenger comfort, rolling stock design, infrastructure and maintenance
- Contribute to what’s next - how could the IMechE Railway Division help refocus the railway to enable better engineering?
To book your place, please visit the event website.