In a busy schedule of meetings at and visits to BCIMO this week, there emerged something of theme: a timeline of rail technology from the past to the present, and on to the future. Add in train rides, robot dogs and electric scooters… but far from simply fun and games, they epitomise an exciting road (and rail!) ahead for the transport industry.
2025 is a very special year for the industry, as it celebrates 200 years of rail from the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in County Durham – and the first journey on Locomotion No. 1, built by engineering pioneers George and Robert Stephenson – on 27th September 1825. By the end of the 19th century, rail had not only revolutionised the way business worked, with raw materials and made goods being transported all over the country, but the way people lived, from daily travel to work to the birth of mass domestic tourism.
Now, almost two centuries on from that first journey, rail continues to evolve and BCIMO is at the forefront of the journey that lies ahead with its focus on innovation. Discussions, debates and developments within the industry now centre on key issues such as decarbonisation through the use of cleaner fuel sources, greener and more cost-effective ways to build and maintain infrastructure; the potential for autonomous systems guided by AI technology, and the creation of local, regional and national interconnected, multi-modal transport systems. Although the future will look very different, that pioneering spirit of early rail remains.
On 19th September this year, the rail industry is coming together to launch a year-long celebration of its history and impact to date, entitled ‘Railway 200’. It will encompass a range of events across the country, and the BCIMO team are determined to do the sector proud and make a real difference to the local community, so in a meeting on with the broader Railway 200 members on Tuesday they outlined their idea for an open day for rail enthusiasts and members of the local community, with a range of activities on site at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) all aimed at raising money for charity. More details will be announced shortly but, in the meantime, please pencil in a provisional date in late spring / early summer next year!
Wednesday at BCIMO was busier still, with filming on site as part of a promotional video being created for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) ahead of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress, which is coming to Birmingham in 2027. The ITS Congresses are an annual event, held consecutively in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, which hone in on the vision for transport in the future. They bring together stakeholders and decision-makers from governments, academia, business and non-profit to consider the breadth and depth of challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The West Midlands is the ideal host for the 2027 World Congress, having been named as the UK’s first Future Transport Zone in 2019 and more recently having benefited from the then governments’ ‘Deeper Devolution Deal’, which included further autonomy for Transport for West Midlands. Alongside improvements in existing infrastructure, such as the new transport hub being built close to the VLRNIC in Dudley and the extension of the West Midlands Metro, including the new section under construction outside BCIMO’s front door, the region is home to the Coventry Very Light Rail project. The revolutionary new addition to the rail portfolio encompasses a range of cutting-edge innovations across the breadth of the project, the predominance of which are being tested on site at BCIMO’s Rail Development & Test Site. As such, the WMCA video, which will be shown at the forthcoming World Congress in Dubai and the following European Congress in Seville, included footage from across the site, out on the Test Track and into the Engineering Hall.
In addition to filming the world-class facilities at the VLRNIC, the WMCA team also had the opportunity to film the site being utilised ‘live’ by Belvoir Rail. The company, who specialise in rail rolling stock and infrastructure products and services, have recently partnered with Unitree Robotics to bring their assets to the UK market, for both rail and non-rail applications, within a new division called Next Generation Robotics and Innovation (NextGenRi). In addition to their humanoid robots, Unitree have also developed quadapred ‘dogs’ which are equipped with lighting, camera and LiDAR laser imaging technology, but have the option to be fitted with thermal imaging or other technologies, which could be used to inspect track or trains, for example, identifying defects or faults, thus enhancing maintenance and safety.
At BCIMO, the ‘dog’ was first introduced to the Tunnel environment, which provided the ideal opportunity to inspect both the mid-19th century brickwork and the 21st century track, as would be applicable in many real-world rail environments. Unlike many robotic options, the ‘dog’s’ agility means it can move around easily in varying terrains, and so can be deployed to specific locations and/or ‘walkthrough’ a complex landscape as needed. The ‘dog’ also explored BCIMO’s Tram 16, highlighting its further ability to move around complex and confined spaces within and outside of rolling stock; and so with its potential to work autonomously and interact via AI, offers real insight into the evolution of broader rail operations through innovation.
And finally, on Thursday, the BCIMO team met to discuss a forthcoming event on site next month, which celebrates all things electric in transport. The ‘Electrifying Transport in the Black Country’ event is being held on 12th September at the VLRNIC and has a dual focus of inviting members of the public along in the morning to try out a range of electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes and e-scooters which in turn will form part of the multi-modal transport journey alongside trains and light / very light rail vehicles in the blueprint going forward. The free-to-attend event is hosted by Black Country Transport, in partnership with Let’s Experience Electric and Transport for West Midlands, along with Coventry University, Innovation Alliance and, of course, BCIMO.
In the afternoon, an invitation-only conference is a further opportunity for local and regional stakeholders to meet and discuss key issues around the transition to electrified transport, which is key to regional decarbonisation targets, including both vehicles and infrastructure. Speakers will introduce perspectives on a range of different topics and thus viewpoints from across local authorities, organisations and projects, alongside local businesses and education and training providers, and the potential for essential cross-sector collaboration to develop a clear vision for the future of transport within and indeed beyond the West Midlands region.
Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Railway 200 and Network Rail, reflecting on the launch of the initiative, said: “The world changed forever in 1825 and the 200th anniversary of this first passenger train journey is an historic opportunity to reset the public’s relationship with rail. It is our chance to present the railway as a forward thinking, digital industry and as an attractive career option for young people and for people from many different backgrounds.
“For Railway 200 to reach its full potential, we must harness the knowledge and efforts of the whole industry, so I hope you will join us in creating a programme of celebrations which will recognise this great British achievement, the first public passenger train in the world, while inspiring a new generation to take our innovative railway far into the future.”
Max Sugarman, Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), when Birmingham was announced as the host for 2027, said: “The UK is one of the leading global centres for transport technology, so it is brilliant news that we will have the chance to showcase the sector to the world, with Birmingham as the preferred candidate for the 2027 ITS World Congress.
“Whether it’s in connected and autonomous vehicles, the latest smart ticketing systems or the use of AI and data, our intelligent transport industry is brimming with innovation, with British companies supporting greener, safer and more integrated transport not only in the UK, but across the globe.
“We look forward to working with our partners in the Department for Transport and West Midlands Combined Authority in telling the many great British success stories across our transport technology sector.”
Mike Harmer, Chief of Strategic Operations at Belvoir Rail, speaking of his experience at BCIMO, said: “Our experience at BCIMO was really informative and very productive. The facility provided the perfect backdrop for some rigorous testing, allowing us to explore the full capabilities of our quadrupeds. I extend my thanks to Olivia Brown, and the rest of the team who helped on the day at BCIMO, whose support was instrumental in facilitating the tests. Suitably looked after, our visit by our Managing Director, James Brown, and me, ensured a very productive session and we look forward to future collaboration.”
Olivia Brown, Operations and Marketing Manager at BCIMO, who is leading the Railway 200 and ITS / Belvoir Rail collaborations, also reflected: “At BCIMO, we are absolutely delighted to be involved, not only in celebrating 200 years of rail history as part of the Railway 200 project, but as we also look to the future of our sector in intelligent transport systems with the ITS World Congress, which we are proud to welcome to the West Midlands in 2027.
“We are in a unique position over the next few years to take the inspiration of the past to drive the innovation of the future and we, at BCIMO, are at the very heart of that journey.”
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