Balfour Beatty opens Rail Innovation Centre
Written by David Burroughs, news and features writer, International Railway Journal
Photo: Balfour Beatty
Balfour Beatty opened its new Rail Innovation Centre at its Raynesway facility in Derby, Britain, on June 28.
The purpose-built center is a dedicated research, development and testing facility covering more than 450m2 which Balfour Beatty says will bring together systems engineering, computer science, robotics, data analytics, electronics and electrical and mechanical engineering.
In combination with its York and Matlock offices, it will employ more than 150 technicians, engineers, data scientists and developers with expertise and knowledge of the design, operation and maintenance of railways.
Measurement systems, “predict and prevent” technology, signaling and data science will also be included in the center.
Balfour Beatty says the technologies build on established systems and are the latest developments in artificial intelligence including machine learning and machine vision systems and the application of robot testing which will enable remote, unattended and high-speed testing of the rail infrastructure in a safe and controlled environment.
