The University of Hull has announced the creation of Railwhere, a company focused on supporting rail freight operators with software aimed at operational efficiency.
Railwhere offers software that assists operators in optimising routing, fuel usage, and carbon emissions. The project has involved collaboration with industry partners including Network Rail and Freightliner. Lampada Digital Solutions, a subsidiary of the university, also contributed to the development process.
The software has already been applied to improve the transport of quarried stone from the Mendips to Greater London. Working alongside Aether Limited and the University of Derby under the Innovate UK framework, Freightliner restructured train operations to transport greater volumes over fewer days, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while freeing up train paths.
Network Rail and Lampada jointly developed an application designed to assist planners in optimising train weights. Both projects have received industry awards, including categories for freight project and operational safety.
Railwhere intends to provide operators with tools aimed at optimising resource planning and network usage. The company operates as a commercial spin-off and is positioned within the framework of research application and knowledge transfer by the University of Hull.
The University has stated that Railwhere’s business model reflects a wider effort to integrate research outcomes with industry requirements in the rail freight sector.
