New Rail Innovation Centre launched in Derby, UK

Balfour Beatty's robotic testing rig

The testing facility covers over 450m² to support Balfour Beatty’s contribution to the development of the digital railway for a more reliable, cost efficient and safe railway network for all users across the UK and overseas.

The new Rail Innovation Centre will bring together Balfour Beatty’s expertise in systems engineering, computer science, robotics, data analytics, electronics and electrical and mechanical engineering, and in combination with its York and Matlock offices will employ over 150 leading technicians, engineers, data scientists and developers with expertise and knowledge of the design, operation and maintenance of the railway.

The new centre will be home to the latest developments in measurement systems, ‘predict & prevent’ technology, signalling and data science.

Opening the Rail Innovation Centre, Mark Bullock, Balfour Beatty’s Chief Executive Officer for Rail and Utilities, said: “Digital technologies are rapidly changing the rail industry, bringing new efficiencies and presenting new opportunities. The Rail Innovation Centre is at the heart of Balfour Beatty’s technology offering with the specific purpose of driving efficiencies and safety across the rail network for those who work on the railway and ultimately the travelling public.”

The new centre will develop high-value jobs across a range of disciplines and will allow Balfour Beatty to maintain and grow its graduate and technical schemes to develop the next generation of rail engineers.

The new facility will also enable collaboration and knowledge sharing with a range of stakeholders and industry partners, the strengthening of Balfour Beatty’s relationships with the data science community and further mutually beneficial links with universities.