Transport news

Stylised graphic of Tokyo station with train in the background

Is the shine coming off Japan’s bullet trains?

Just ten days before the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, Japan opened its Tōkaidō Shinkansen, a high-speed rail line connecting Tokyo with Osaka. Shinkansen bullet trains showcased the high quality of Japanese railway technology to the world, with trains travelling at up to 285 km/h (177 mph).
A close-up of a gear box showing intricate mechanical components

Institute of Advanced Studies welcomes leading tribology expert to Loughborough

Engineer, researcher and tribology expert Dr Jonny Hansen will be at the University next week presenting a public lecture on electric vehicle (EV) tribology and technology.

Cars travelling along a road with graphics above them to signify autonomous vehicles.

New research could lead to safer roads and improved global connectivity

An academic at Loughborough University believes his new research can help significantly reduce the number of accidents on our roads by improving the reliability of autonomous vehicles.
Image of a UK motorway with cars and lorries on it, there is a slight blur on the image.

Project aims to help identify motorists with dementia who are unfit to drive

A new Loughborough University-led project aims to develop an effective screening test to identify individuals in the early stages of dementia who are unfit to drive.

Loughborough research on driver vision leads to Europe-wide safety changes to HGV design

Research by Loughborough University has led to the creation of a new European standard for HGV design which will help prevent hundreds of people from being killed or seriously injured each year.
Woman driving a car with a cup of coffee in her hand

New research project aims to assess the effectiveness of ‘caffeine-naps’ for drivers with obstructive sleep apnoea

A new Loughborough University-led project will assess whether a ‘caffeine-nap’ can counteract sleepiness among drivers who suffer with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
An illustration of an EV vehicle charing from a house.

Study to explore if electric vehicles can power homes and help meet the UK’s energy demands while plugged in

Loughborough University is part of a new collaborative project exploring if electric vehicles (EV) could be used to power drivers’ homes and help meet UK energy demands while on charge.

New on-board system will allow trains to instantly detect ‘leaves on the line’

Researchers are developing an on-board system for trains that can identify low adhesion hazards such as ‘leaves on the line’ as well as other issues that cause the rail equivalent of black ice.
Cat Gardner

RAEng Industrial Fellow to be based at National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology to develop sustainable air travel solutions

Dr Cat Gardner, Aerothermal Technologist at Rolls-Royce, has been awarded an Industrial Fellowship by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng).

As fuel prices and living costs rise, Loughborough produces official calculations for measuring fuel poverty in remote areas

Calculations of how much more it costs to live in remote areas of Scotland have been published by the Scottish Government, using Loughborough’s research on the minimum cost of living.

What electric vehicle manufacturers can learn from China – their biggest market

Despite the pandemic, global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) increased by 43% in 2020. Total EV sales in China were 1.3 million, an increase of 8% compared to 2019, and 41% of all EVs sold worldwide. Though Europe sold more than China for the first time since 2015, China is still the world’s biggest national market for EVs.
Image of REACT by Joe Bentley.

Student designs life-saving device that rapidly stops bleeding from knife wounds

In the year ending March 2019, 259 people were killed in the UK using a sharp instrument, including knives and broken bottles.

Loughborough-led project to help guide national rollout of Electric Vehicle chargepoints

A new Loughborough University-led study will be examining the use of existing Electric Vehicle (EV) chargepoint networks to help guide their widespread introduction across the UK.

Loughborough University to work with HS2 as landmark R&D agreement signed with the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure & Cities

As part of its innovation programme, HS2 Ltd has signed a ground-breaking agreement with leading infrastructure research centres in UK universities, which will enable it to access world-leading research capabilities, knowledge and facilities.

New ‘roadmap’ sets out 20-years of technological change in the UK motor industry

Loughborough University’s Institute of Digital Engineering has created a ‘roadmap’ to guide the UK automotive sector through the next 20-years of industry digitalisation.

Loughborough professor tasked with tackling BAME and gender issues in the UK motor industry

Emeritus Professor Jim Saker will investigate ways to improve diversity in the UK motor industry as the head of a new national taskforce.
Transport MSc image

Loughborough University launches MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems

Loughborough University is recruiting students for a new MSc in Intelligent Transport programme which will start in October 2021.

Drivers needed for road safety study

A European road safety initiative is looking for car drivers to test the next generation of motoring technology.

Chief Executive of HS2 joins Loughborough University as a Visiting Professor

The Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd and Loughborough alumnus, Mark Thurston, has joined the University as Visiting Professor of Complex Project and Programme Leadership.

Nissan staying in UK is great news after Brexit, but car industry’s future is still very unclear

When the UK voted for Brexit, there were no positives for the UK car industry. The prospect of a 10% tariff on car production that involves parts and sub-assemblies moving in and out of the UK was untenable.
Professor Jim Saker

Loughborough Professor appointed as new President of The Institute of the Motor Industry

Professor Jim Saker was named the Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) new president at their Annual General Meeting on 27 October.

Theia.

Student designs autonomous way-finding device for visually impaired people unable to home a guide dog

There are more than 253 million visually impaired people worldwide, yet only a small proportion use a guide dog to get around, the remaining majority rely on white canes.

Turtle trapped in a net

FEATURE: Pushing the boundaries of drone engineering to protect marine life from extinction

Commercial drone pilot Melissa Schiele has joined Loughborough University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering – and she has big plans.

Coronavirus is a once in a lifetime chance to reshape how we travel

The transport sector has been impacted as much as any by the coronavirus. This isn’t a normal period of disruption, which is usually caused by failures in supply such as road accidents or industrial action. In this case it is the lack of demand that is the problem.

More caffeine is not the answer for tired lorry drivers – new study shows too much coffee could have negative effects

Lorry drivers who consumed large amounts of coffee and energy drinks reported having crashed more compared to those only drank small quantities of caffeine, according to new research.