What Moves Us

What Moves Us - Predictive Maintenance with Predge

In this episode, Jesper Westerberg, Chief Product Officer at Predge, shares insights into the role of predictive maintenance in the rail industry. We discuss how data-driven solutions are transforming maintenance strategies, reducing costs, and improving reliability.

Jesper highlights real-world applications, including innovative algorithms for predicting wheel damages and transforming maintenance planning. We also explore the challenges of adopting new technologies in a traditional sector and the importance of partnerships and modular solutions.

Whether you're a rail professional or curious about innovation in transport, this episode offers a practical look at the potential of predictive maintenance and how smaller suppliers can drive change.

What Moves Us at InnoTrans 2024

Deb, Johannah & Liam reflect on their experience at InnoTrans 2024, where the world of rail meet in Berlin for networking, demonstrations, conversations and more. We were pleased to see many members of the Rail Innovation Group present to promote how small companies can supply great solutions to support the industry's future.

What Moves Us: Atmo Technology

In this episode Johannah & Liam are joined by Guy Barkley, CEO and Founder of Atmo Technology - our newest member!  To celebrate this new partnership, Guy joined the pod to discuss Atmo’s environmental capabilities and the impact they aim to achieve in the rail industry. This podcast delves into the innovative solutions Atmo offers and their contribution to a sustainable future for rail transport. We take the time to explore how a company develops from a 'spin off' to a fully fledged SME in the supply chain, and the challenges along the way. With great advice for new start ups the team covers aspects including responding to industry challenges, procurement routes, grant funding and trade shows, all while maintaining a healthy work environment.
Links: https://www.atmotech.co.uk/

What Moves Us - Small Voices Expanding Horizons

In this episode, Johannah, Deb and Liam discuss the first steps taken by the new UK Government to improve and integrate the transport system. With reference to the bills proposed in July 2024's King's Speech. We cover our hopes and anxieties of the new, more comprehensive public transport investment and operational model.

We also discuss our most recent thoughtpiece, released in June 2024, Small Voices Expanding Horizons - Reflecting UK Start Ups International Growth: which looks at the successes and challenges faced by our members as they venture into international markets. The report draws on research and firsthand accounts to highlight the strategic approaches, partnerships, and innovations that have enabled our members to overcome barriers and succeed internationally. Download the report at www.railinnovationgroup.com

What Moves Us - Our Five Year Anniversary!

It's been five years since Johannah and Liam began the podcast. In this episode, they reflect back on some of the milestones from the period, including diverging transport policy in the nations of Britain; the developing - and redeveloping - policy environment; and the impact of all this change  on small companies.

All alongside our aspirations for the next five years. They anchor the discussion on the original question: what's the point of transport?

What Moves Us: Policy, Diversity & Skill

In today's episode Johannah, Deb and Liam discuss the UK Labour party's proposed rail policy (sounding a little familiar) as well as Johannah's recent trip to the Transport Research Arena conference in Dublin.

We also cover whether AI will fool us with its simulated feelings and whether data is helpful in achieving diversity. With questions over who we count as 'the rail industry' and what diversity actually means, and the benefit of transferable skills.

Here's the article Johannah referenced: Do many women want to be train drivers: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/do-many-women-want-to-be-train-drivers/

Here's the conference Johannah attended: Transport Research Arena: https://traconference.eu/

What Moves Us - RIA Innovation Conference 2024

Johannah is flying solo in this episode and had the incredible opportunity to attend the Railway Industry Association's Innovation Conference in Wales, where it was a whirlwind of excitement!  From keynote speeches to tech talks, exhibitor spotlights, and more, there was never a dull moment.

In this episode, she'll be chatting with some of old friends and brilliant innovators who are shaping the future of rail.

But first, let's talk about the unexpected surprise that kicked off the conference. Our host, Milda Manomaityte, strutted in with her new best friend - the robodog! Now, that definitely caught everyone's attention, sparking a debate about the future of rail innovation and maybe even a hint of extra-terrestrial excitement!

We heard from industry leaders who shared insights into resetting rail and the start of CP7. The vision for the future is clear: innovation is key to addressing challenges and driving efficiency gains.

Johannah had the chance to catch up with some conference delegates, including One Big Circle's Emily Kent, Doopee Doo's Philippe Mele, and Arcadis' Meirion Thomas. We discussed key conference themes such as sustainability, collaboration, and yes, those divisive robots!

Day two continued with the launch of RIA's thought leadership report, 'Destination: Revenue Growth.' This report looks at the gaps in rail ticketing and offers recommendations to enhance the customer experience and boost revenue.

Now, here's the big question: are these recommendations truly addressing passenger needs? We'll explore this further in our next episode, so stay tuned!

What Moves Us - Rail Scotland

In this episode, Johannah gives her thoughts on last week's Rail Scotland Conference. Listening in, Liam is joined by friend of the podcast Deb Carson to hear about the conference's themes of climate resilience, passenger experience on an integrated railway and decarbonisation of the rolling stock - all within a cost efficient model. Plenty of opportunities for our most dynamic suppliers!

What Moves Us: PassageWay

Liam Henderson & Johannah Randall speak with PassageWay's Chris Johns (10:30) to hear about their realtime digital signs placed in communities to help users understand, interpret and act on multi-modal transport information, displayed in a human-centred way. With references to Nudge Theory, overcoming digital exclusion, and the provision of FREE digital signs funded by TfL.

Chris give some insight for new companies on how to communicate their offer, where to find connections and implores founders to take advantage of those networking opportunities!

Plus our take on the Interchange conference that happened in Manchester last week: What did we learn from the sub-national transport bodies about the balance between local and regional focus, and policy versus delivery.

Plus, plus our experience with the Social Value Tool used in public procurement exercises: how does a tech start up commit to 'becoming' carbon zero, what happens if they already are?

Links referenced:
PassageWay: Smart Digital Signs - passage-way.com
Free PassageWay TfL Service Status Digital Sign - passage-way.com/londontransportstatus
Left Behind Londoners - londontravelwatch.org.uk/campaigns/digital-exclusion

Are We Using Data to Inform Climate Resilience Investment

There's an international flavour to the discussion between the Rail Innovation Group's Deb, Johannah and Liam today covering key themes of 2024, and what we've been asked to provide insight on: notably, using data to inform climate resilience and mitigation measures - are our current investment decisions making use of the existing evidence base?

 

Link to the report Johannah mentions: https://transportforthenorth.com/wp-content/uploads/Transport-related-social-exclusion-in-the-North-of-England.pdf