GB-London: 1008157290 T1414 Testing the feasibility of the use of solar reflective solutions on rolling stock

T1414 aims to demonstrate the effective use of Solar Reflective Solutions to reduce internal vehicle temperatures, supporting improved passenger comfort, reduced HVAC energy consumption demand and improved component reliability for GB passenger rolling stock.

Work Package 1- Benchmarking and trial planning

• Assess the current performance of existing rolling stock paint systems to establish a baseline against which the potential benefit and disbenefits of adopting solar reflective alternatives can be determined.
• Identify and select SRSs which meet GB passenger rolling stock requirements to ensure the SRSs trialled meet technical, safety, and operational material requirements.
• Develop a test plan for a box trial, representative of a rail vehicle, to assess the effect that SRSs would have on internal rail vehicle temperature.

Work Package 2 - Box trials

• Undertake box trials2, representative of a rail vehicle, as per the test plan produced in WP1, to gather data on the solar, thermal and operational environment performance of SRSs.

•Analyse the data gathered from the box trials to enable cost-benefit analysis of the material systems and mitigate potential risk/unsuitable candidates.

Work Package 3 - Business case for SRS adoption

• Produce an initial business case for the use of SRSs on GB passenger rolling stock based on WP2.

Work Package 4 - Planning next steps - This will only be undertaken if business case in WP3 is positive

• Identify the questions (including technical) that remain to be answered to make informed decisions on the adoption of SRS.
• Develop a test plan for trial(s) that would answer the outstanding questions identified in WP 2 and 3 so RSSB may seek support from relevant parties and plan for such trial(s).

Note - The decision to proceed with the last work package will be made by RSSB based on the findings from WP2 and 3. The work for WP4 should be included in the total price, but with the cost separately identified to be able to be removed if WP4 is not progressed.