Current Students and Staff

// University News

24 Nov 2015

REPOINT wins Most Interesting Innovation award

Breakthrough technology developed by the University has won the Most Interesting Innovation at RailExec’s award ceremony.

REPOINT is a breakthrough technology which has the potential to revolutionise the global rail industry. It is a robust and reliable points mechanism developed by engineers at Loughborough, which will improve safety, reduce maintenance costs and boost capacity on the railways.

Supported by the UK Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), REPOINT is the result of work carried out with industry experts into improved switches to override track switch failures which can lead to train derailment.

Using safety concepts derived from aerospace and the nuclear industry, REPOINT corrects a failed switch through a patented arrangement of interlocking rail ends which incorporate a sliding arrangement similar to a breather switch. A lift and drop mechanism allows for expansion and provides an additional locking mechanism with virtually no friction losses.

The RailExec awards recognise the industry’s ‘Most Interesting’ projects and developments of the year.

To find out more about REPOINT, click here.