qr annual report 2007 - 2008.pdf - Queensland Rail

The year in review
Research
and Innovation
QR has continued to invest in research and development
to improve service to our customers and the safety of our
employees, customers and the public. This year, an additional
commitment has been made to build our capability in innovation.
Innovation in business and operational practices and building
the right strategic alliances will be a focus for the coming
year. This focus will facilitate the integration of our traditional
engineering research and development work to meet
customer needs and provide commercial outcomes.
This year saw the commencement of this new focus with
an agreement to commercialise research work from the
Rail Cooperative Research Centres (CRC). This joint project
brings together QRNational, Rail Innovation Australia, Faiveley
Transport and Central Queensland University to develop
an innovative electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP)
braking system. The project also attracteda grant from the
State Government’s Innovative Projects Fund in recognition
of the potential benefits to Queensland. Named, OZ-ECP,
this project aims to deliver a cost effective braking system
which enhances safety and will also provide the opportunity
to schedule more trains on areas of heavy traffic due to the
reduced stopping distances required by this superior system.
QR has maintained involvement with two Cooperative
Research Centres, the CRC for Rail Innovation and the
CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset Management. This
involvement will ensure that QR can leverage high quality
academic research into environmental, social, operational,
economic and technical issues likely to affect our future.
QR LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2007/08
34