London Underground and TRL sign Memorandum of Understanding

London Underground and TRL are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding to formally establish their mutual interest in sharing and combining research expertise in transport, to help develop innovative solutions to some of the challenges currently facing the rail industry.

Both London Underground and TRL have a long history of working in the transport arena and together they have agreed to:

• Undertake joint research in areas of common interest
• Share experience, research and knowledge including technical and practical solutions, and jointly promote learning across the two organisations
• Explore new ways to unlock present problems in applying news techniques and technologies
• Share resources to advance knowledge and expertise

The agreement builds on the recent launch of LU’s Innovation Portal and its drive to create an industry environment conducive to fostering innovation and research focused on meeting its business challenges.

David Waboso, LU Capital Programmes Director, said: “By adopting innovative approaches to managing modernisation of the Tube, we’ve reduced delays to customers by 37 per cent in the last four years while delivering some of the biggest upgrade projects in the world. I’m confident we can build on that performance through collaboration with TRL to share knowledge and experience that will help us to tackle the next big challenges in growing the capacity of the Tube.”

Dr Sue Sharland, TRL’s Chief Executive said: “Over many years, TRL has made a major contribution to the advancement of transport by providing unique solutions to the many and various issues facing infrastructure owners and operators around the world.

At a time of unprecedented need for innovative thinking and technology solutions, in particular those involving transferable knowledge and expertise, we are delighted to be working closely with London Underground and are looking forward to meeting these challenges together”