Episode Five, How to build a Railway: Opportunity for Innovation

How to Build a Railway is a twelve-part podcast series exploring the story behind the construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line.

We are always looking towards new methods and technologies to help us work smarter, safer and more efficiently. Construction and engineering is no different.

This episode of How to build a railway, ‘Opportunity for Innovation’, dives into some of the ways High Speed Two is working to create collaborative innovation partnerships using new technology and processes. This will enable a better and safer way of working for its staff during construction and ensure the best experience possible for all passengers once the railway is operational, leaving a lasting legacy for the construction and rail industries.

Featuring:

  • Howard Mitchell, HS2 Head of Innovation
  • Charlotte Hills, HS2 Senior Innovation Manager
  • Heather Donald, HS2 Senior Innovation Manager
  • Ed McCann, ICE President

Charlotte describes the benefits of working close with the supply chain and how the use of Lean production allows site teams to watch themselves at work. Giving them the opportunity to collaboratively ask the question “How can we do it better?”

Ed outlines the background of ICE and how HS2 intersects within its three main points:

  • Qualifying members
  • Connections to clients
  • The political space

Howard explains the strategy behind innovation. Driving the themes and the topics that have the biggest impact to HS2 as a programme, and also the maximum benefit to the UK from this huge investment in the UK infrastructure landscape.

Heather talks through The Euston Living Lab project. Using LIDAR sensors to monitor the trends of the current Euston station to make better decisions for the future passenger experience. Displaying that the innovations are not just for the construction of the railway, but also when it’s operational.

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