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Sustainable infrastructure

Research focused on Sustainable Infrastructure takes a system-wide approach focusing on interconnected techno-scientific innovations and socio-technical considerations. 

Key technical areas include sustainable rail transport and infrastructure, cross sector material circularity, and emerging technologies, data, and standards. Alongside these, the project will address Net Zero policies and governance, operations and supply chains, socio-economic assessment and new business models, and future talent and skills.

A "system-of-systems" approach is designed to deliver integrated models, tools, technologies, and scenarios. This ensures that advancements like circular materials, digital signalling, AI-driven maintenance, and sustainable logistics are key to larger transformation.

'Factory of the Future' for rolling stock maintenance forms part pf a research programme aimed at enabling greater reuse of existing rolling stock and reducing lifecycle costs by keeping them in operation longer. It leverages 5G/6G, AI and digital twinning , allowing for rapid reconfiguration of maintenance lines, predictive maintenance, and optimised resource allocation. 

Crucially, the design will integrate lifecycle data from rolling stock, ensuring that maintenance strategies are continuously refined based on real-world performance. This holistic strategy aims to create an agile, scalable, responsive, and data-driven ecosystem for the rail sector.

Meet the team

  • Professor Sonal Choudhary - Chair in Sustainable Management, School for Business and Society
  • Dr John Oyekan - Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science 
  • Dr Jiannan Yang - Lecturer in Digital Engineering for Future Technologies, School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
  • Professor David Grace - Head of Communication Technologies Research Group, Co-Director of York - Zhejiang Lab for Cognitive Radio and Green Communications, Guest Professor Zhejiang University
  • Dr Suresh Perinpanayagam, Professor of Engineering, School of Physics, Engineering and Technology

 

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