From Road Accidents To Rocket Fuel: Revolutionary Transport Research Showcased At Nottingham, UK

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Article Date: 07 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The first ever showcase of world-leading transport research at The University of Nottingham takes place on campus on May 8, 2008.

Engineers, psychologists and computer scientists working on revolutionary projects in dozens of specialist fields are gathering for the University of Nottingham Transport Research Showcase - taking in the very latest work at the cutting edge of road, rail, aerospace and maritime transport.

The University of Nottingham is home to one of the largest and most advanced programmes of transport research in the UK, ranging from rocket fuel to road surfaces, and railway signalling to road accidents. Academic researchers work in partnership with industry to improve manufacturing competitiveness, deliver new technologies and provide innovative solutions.

Current work takes in areas such as hydrogen fuel cells, rail maintenance, advanced composite materials, motorcycle ergonomics, aeroengine systems and components, geotechnics, driver behaviour, location technology and geospatial science, high precision manufacturing, the use of X-rays to look inside construction materials such as asphalt, and many other areas.

The Showcase on May 8 is a cross-faculty event intended to bring together all transport research activities across the University, and is aimed at large employers, consultants and researchers in the transport field, transport operators and local authorities. It will be held from 10am to 4.15pm in the Pope building, rooms A13 & A14, on the University Park campus.

One of the event organisers is Dr Sarah Sharples of the School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering.

Dr Sharples said: "The University of Nottingham is carrying out world-leading research in transport and we have a depth and breadth of expertise here that is unparalleled in UK higher education. The work going on here is aimed at solving some of the key problems in the field of 21st century transport."

Professor David Clarke, Chair of the University Transport Strategy Group, said: "Across the faculties of Science and Engineering over 100 researchers conduct research projects valued at over £8million per year. This event will showcase the highlights of this activity."

As well as keynote speakers from the University of Nottingham, including Professor David Greenaway, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, there will be speakers from Network Rail, Rolls-Royce and the Highways Agency. An exhibition will give opportunities for guests to view demonstrations on:

• A full-scale railway test facility, and geotechnical centrifuge
  
  
• Train and bike simulator
  
  
• Automated assembly of aero-engine structural components
  
  
• Waterjet cutting facilities.

University of Nottingham Transport Research takes in the Schools of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy, Computer Science, Psychology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Specialist areas include:

• Advanced materials research for engineering solutions in rail, road and aerospace sectors
  
  
• Human factors research in ergonomics and safety, including accident causation and hazard perception work
  
  
• Integrated transport systems including global positioning technology
  
  
• Electrical power and propulsion systems for land vehicles and aircraft.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Source: Dr. Sarah Sharples
University of Nottingham