According to Construction Index magazine, “the aim of the three-year project, led by Dr Koohyar Faizi [from Nottingham Trent University], is to help contractors put the right solution in first time – making lines safer, providing value engineering and reducing whole-life costs”.

Dr Faizi said: “In this project we’re looking to optimise the design process for the track bed stabilisation system that is already developed by Van Elle”.

John Allsop, Director of rail engineering at Van Elle, said: “It’s brilliant to be working with Nottingham Trent University to enhance a product that we’re already really proud of. The work Koohyar is doing along with the team from NTU and Van Elle has a benefit for engineers all over the world potentially. It’s really exciting”.

Specialist Knowledge Transfer Adviser on the project for KTN is Philippa Ryan who added “This exciting new project will bring new skills and the latest academic thinking into the business to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project. The key for Innovate UK is that the project will embed expertise in geotechnical modelling and vision systems so that Van Elle can continue to apply that knowledge longer term. This will deliver genuine transfer of knowledge by working in partnership, with impact not only in the business but in the rail sector.’