IIT Madras has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Railways to develop a long-term frame work for research collaboration and advancement of technology. The MoU will be operative from the date of signing for a period of three years.
A Centre for Railway Research (CRR) will be set up at IIT Madras for the purpose.
“IIT Madras looks forward to a long term association with the Indian Railways toward development of smart, efficient, comfortable and safe transport systems using cutting edge R&D through the CRR at IITM,” said Krishnan Balasubramanian, Dean of IC&SR (Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research) at IIT Madras in a statement.
Through the MoU, the Centre plans to carry out research related to structural health monitoring of railway infrastructure (rails, bridges, engines, wagons/coaches, electrical, stations) by embedded intelligence, intelligent transportation, computer vision & imaging technologies, advanced techniques for trains control and Communication.
It will also work on indicative areas such as decision sciences, alternate engine propulsion technologies, reliability engineering, energy management, advanced materials technologies, advanced joining technologies, and non-destructing testing & evaluation.
A Program Advisory Committee (PAC), comprising of officers from Indian Railways and faculty members of IIT Madras will be formed under the MoU. A multi-disciplinary approach would be adopted for carrying out the research. The Centre for Railway Research will form research programme groups in each field comprising Professors and faculty members from IIT Madras along with officers from Railways.
Experts working in the Centre for railway research will be given specialised training in railway technology in India and abroad. Railway officers will be sent on deputation at the Centre for Railway Research for participating in the research and development work as well as for short-term and long-term training programmes.
The Centre for Railway Research will offer a degree programme, a postgraduate programme, and a PhD programme in research areas related to railways and will also involve students in research projects and offer course electives related to railway technology.