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Universal Signalling supporting Colas Rail to deliver Coventry Very Light Rail demonstrator track

24 March 2025:

Universal Signalling is proud to announce their support to Colas Rail on the delivery of a 220-metre demonstrator track for the Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) concept in Coventry city centre. This innovative project aims to showcase the potential of VLR technology in providing an efficient and sustainable urban transport solution at a much-reduced price point.

The demonstrator track, set to be constructed along Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road, will serve as a crucial step in the ongoing development and testing of the VLR system. The Coventry City Council project is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the UK Government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

A global leader in light rail, Colas Rail has a long track record in delivering Urban rail schemes to benefit the West Midlands, renewing, upgrading and extending the Tram network on behalf of Transport for West Midlands as the principal contractor of the Midland Metro Alliance since 2016. Colas will be responsible for the construction and installation of the track, with Universal Signalling supporting the installation of their state-of-the-art vehicle protection solutions to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the CVLR vehicle during this trial. 

The Coventry Very Light Rail concept aims to revolutionise urban transport by offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional light rail systems. The lightweight track design allows for quick and easy installation with minimal disruption to existing utilities, making it an ideal solution for urban environments.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change said, "We are at a really exciting stage of Very Light Rail in Coventry City Centre. We think it will be a real game changer in terms of how people move around, especially in smaller towns and cities and it will save cash, cut carbon and eventually provide a driverless hop on and hop off autonomous transport solution.

"It will be great to see it in the street scene and for local people to be able to actually ride on it. And of course, there is lots of interest from across the UK and further afield so we are really looking forward to showing everyone how quickly the track can be laid – that really is the clever bit of our system."

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority chair, said: "This revolutionary Very Light Rail technology, in which the West Midlands is leading the way, will slash costs and accelerate construction times for tram networks – allowing us to better deliver on my vision to connect communities with more affordable and accessible public transport. We are investing millions in this project, and the start of work on this test track shows how close we are to making this a reality."

Mark Beeson, Universal Signalling's Product Director, added: "We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking project. Our company ethos perfectly matches Coventry City Council’s vision of providing a fully featured system, but delivered at a much reduced cost base and short timescale via employing cutting edge innovation. This is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities in a live operational environment."

The Coventry VLR project is expected to significantly contribute to the city’s efforts to decarbonise transport, tackle climate change, and improve air quality. The successful implementation of the demonstrator track will pave the way for future VLR projects across the UK and beyond. More information on the Coventry VLR On Road Test can be found on the Colas website here.

Universal Signalling achieves Network Rail approved supplier status

10 February 2025:

Universal Signalling Ltd has achieved approved supplier status for Great Britain's national rail infrastructure custodian, Network Rail. 

Work led by US's Product Director, Mark Beeson, underpinned a successful financial and policy review by Network Rail procurement staff. 

US has been added to the Network Rail Sourcing Platform, known as BravoNR. This means the company is now pre-qualified to bid to supply goods and services under a defined subset of categories.

GCRE Install and product demonstration complete

10 December 2024:

Six of the Universal Signalling team visited the new Global Centre for Rail Excellence (GCRE) site in Wales on Fri 6 December to fit the system demonstrator funded under a programme supported by the Department for Business and Trade, and InnovateUK to demonstrate innovations in railway construction technology. Infrastructure and vehicle elements of the system were deployed in just 1 hour 6 minutes by two operatives with no prior knowledge of the track layout.

Storm Darragh delayed, but did not prevent, end-to-end system shakedown over the weekend. 

On 10 December, nearly 40 guests from across industry then joined a series of demonstrations by our team and another competition winner, Furrer & Frey, at the GCRE site.

Simon Jones, Chief Executive of GCRE commented:

"This is a great project. This is exactly the kind of thing that we have spent the last 7 years getting GCRE off the ground for. The difference that Universal Signalling could make to the railway is really exciting. We're looking forward to continuing to work with Universal Signalling as GCRE develops."

Universal Signalling exhibit at RIA's SigEx Event

26 November 2024:

Universal Signalling exhibited at the Railway Industry Association's annual SigEx event in Leicester on 26 November 2024. The event was attended by over 200 signalling experts from national and devolved bodies. The audience received excellent presentations on upcoming signalling projects and opportunities, including from Northern Ireland, Newcastle and Scotland.

Martin Jones, Chief Engineer at Network Rail, provided the keynote address in which he highlighted that in future, the industry would need to achieve more with less. He noted that innovation would need to play a key part in reducing the unit cost of signalling to enable affordability. This echoed the theme of the event, which was 'Innovative solutions to improve the affordability of Control, Command and Signalling' - a theme which exactly matches Universal Signalling's reason for founding!

Our stand welcomed many visitors over the course of the day and all were treated to the first outing of our modified Lego system demonstrator. Both the Lego trains, and our product portfolio were very well received by all.

Universal Signalling exhibit at Network Rail's Engineering and Climate Conference, Glasgow

19 November 2024:

Universal Signalling's team travelled to Glasgow on 19 November, after being invited to exhibit at the joint Network Rail and Railway Industry Association Unlocking Innovation event, at the University of Strathclyde. With over 400 attendees, the event explored the future of the railway in Scotland from a technology and operational perspective. The challenges of technology migration and a changing climate were hot discussion topics. 

Alan Ross, Director Engineering and Asset Management, Network Rail, Scotland’s Railway, made a wonderfully relevant address to the audience around how low-cost signalling technologies had saved numerous rural Scottish lines from closure a generation earlier, but that new approaches were now needed as the technologies deployed then were now limiting operations in an era of growth. 

This conference marked the first outing on the public exhibition circuit for our prototype signalling components which were well received by potential clients and end-users alike. 

Universal Signalling runner-up for prestigious Gartner award

09 October 2024:

We are excited to announce that Universal Signalling, working alongside Wireless Logic Ltd and Mobius Networks Limited have been chosen as European runner-up in the 2024 Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards for Communication Service Providers. The team were just pipped to the post by a fully autonomous 5G bus. 

This award relates to our work with BCIMO and the Global Centre Of Rail Excellence in developing and installing the first two demonstrators our Universal Interlocking product line. Congratulations to the winners in each global category.

Full details of the award and citation can be found on the Gartner site here.

Engineering team strengthened further with experienced hire

03 June 2024:

Universal Signalling's team has grown again with another experienced hire: Ben van Kesteren joins the engineering team this week, adding more safety critical product development experience as the company looks to move its MVP (Minimum Viable Product) system demonstrator to market.

Ben is a development engineer with over 25 years of experience in railway signalling product development. Over this time, he’s been involved in all the development lifecycle phases, from liaising with customers to establish requirements, through to final testing and commissioning.

Having been involved in the design of high integrity software, electronics, and systems, Ben has a well-rounded knowledge which allows him to understand how all the elements of safety critical products fit together, and design and implement them to do so effectively and safely.

Universal Signalling is looking to appoint a number of similar roles through to mid 2025, and we encourage interested parties to get in touch for an informal chat to establish potential good fits. Strictly no agencies or recruiters.


Universal Signalling shortlisted for RIA RISE award for Innovation

13 May 2024:

Universal Signalling, leading a consortium of industry partners, has been shortlisted for a prestigious RIA (Railway Industry Association) (RIA) award for Innovation. The award shortlist is part of RIA’s annual RISE (Railway Industry Supplier Excellence) awards. 

The shortlisted entry recognises Universal Signalling’s groundbreaking work to deliver a first-of-type installation of it’s Universal Interlocking architecture on the BCIMO test track through late 2023 and into 2024. This culminated in the demonstration of speed supervision of two vehicles.

Commenting on news of the shortlist, Dr Sam Bemment, Chief Executive of Universal Signalling, said: “We’ve come a long way since the company was founded only 18 months ago. In our award submission, we detailed our work alongside our partners deploying key elements of our world-first Universal Interlocking architecture. It has been said that a universal interlocking really is the holy grail of railway signalling. It enables a signalling system to be deployable in days not decades, and at a fraction of current costs. 


Sam Added: “This award shortlisting not only recognises the impact such an innovation could have – changing the railway as we know it. It also recognises that this achievement is the result of close collaboration between many industry partners, without who’s help we could never have achieved what we have, in such short time.”

 

RIA Marketing & Events Manager, Grace Smithen commented: “We would like to congratulate all of the individuals and suppliers shortlisted for the RIA RISE Awards and express our thanks to the expert judging panel of industry figures who took the time to review the entries. We’d also like to extend our appreciation to those who took the time to submit entries and showcase their achievements. The awards showcase the very best practice among rail suppliers and we look forward to celebrating with those shortlisted and the winners at the event on 27 June.”

 

The list of supporting partners cited in the award nomination are, in alphabetical order:

 

The full award shortlist citation reads: “Signalling represents one of the largest capital, operational and maintenance costs of any railway. Signalling is dependent upon interlocking: the safety critical computer which prevents trains crashing into each other, being misrouted, or derailing at junctions. Existing interlockings are custom designed to fit the infrastructure they protect. Custom design causes long project lifecycles, often measured in decades, making signalling extremely expensive. In April 2024, a consortium led by Universal Signalling deployed the world’s first ‘universal interlocking’ to the 2.2km BCIMO test track. This is the holy grail of railway signalling, aspired to by signalling engineers for generations, but, until now, never successfully deployed. It has been created in the UK by a team of British engineers. There is significant potential forward impact with adoption. The ability to re-signal in days, without design, and to do so at a fraction of current costs, could completely change the construction and operation of railways worldwide. Infrastructure can be fitted in hours, trains in minutes, and services could run as soon as track is laid. Responsiveness could increase: a freight siding or additional platform could be in use instantly. Near-moving block capacity could be achieved right now, not after decades of disruptive upgrades.” 

First light rail demo completed at BCIMO, Dudley

1 May 2024:

The Universal signalling team successfully closed out their involvement with the Connected Places Catapult sponsored Clean Futures Accelerator programme on 30 April 2024.

The demonstration day saw all programme participants demonstrate their innovations to over 120 attendees. 

In Universal Signalling's case, this meant showing attendees  components installed on the 2.2km test track and the installation methodology. Vehicles were not running on the day due to the number of visitors on track, so several videos of recent system testing from both onboard and lineside provided an informative talking point for several potential clients, end users, and other interested parties. 

Overall, the day was a fantastic success for all concerned, and Universal Signalling staff wish to give credit to BCIMO and the Connected Places Catapult for the excellent organisation and execution.

Vertex Systems Engineering to provide Universal Signalling safety engineering support

25 April 2024:

Vertex Systems Engineering, part of the AMCL group of companies, has signed an agreement to support the safety engineering activities which will underpin Universal Signalling’s product suite.

Vertex is a leading engineering consultancy, providing industries with an independent, technically knowledgeable group of safety, systems, and project delivery services. They have a solid grounding in a range of asset intensive industries, in particular transportation. Vertex staff have been involved in many notable signalling technology development and deployment activities worldwide for infrastructure managers as well as tier-1 suppliers . They have an impressive client base spread across Europe, North America, Australia, and most recently, the Middle East.

Mark Beeson, Product Director at Universal Signalling commented: “We selected Vertex from a number of potential partners, due to their impressive track record, clear understanding of the innovation pathway in railway signalling, and their worldwide knowledge and client base. We knew Vertex had an impressive skillset to bring to the table, and this was confirmed as soon as we started working with them. Independent safety assurance, validation and verification activities are critical to the success of Universal Signalling’s innovative digital signalling architecture and ethos.”

This architecture promises to slash digital signalling costs by enabling resignalling projects to be completed in days, not decades.

Matthew Elmes, Managing Director at Vertex Systems Engineering and Global Rail Director at the AMCL group of companies said: “Universal Signalling's digital signalling solution offers a unique opportunity for railway operators to simplify the control system and also reduce the fixed asset base, whilst retaining all current user needs with significant whole of life enhancements. Vertex is proud to have been selected in supporting Universal Signalling in this journey”.

https://vertex-se.com/

Universal Signalling welcomes experienced Principal Engineer 

10 April 2024:

Universal Signalling is delighted to welcome Robin Lee to the team this week as a Principal Engineer. 

Robin is a chartered engineer with experience developing safety critical railway signalling products. He has led development projects working to relevant BS EN standards, performing both system design and other system engineering activities. 

His previous experience includes developing a low cost signalling system that communicates over open IP networks, a track-worker warning system, and a points movement inhibition system. He has also previously supported Network Rail’s ETCS/EULYNX radio based limited supervision project.


Tilt Consulting to provide development support to Universal Signalling

26 March 2024:

Tilt Consulting, an independent strategic and technical consultancy who specialise in system integration and train control, have signed an agreement to provide engineering and development support to Universal Signalling’s industry-challenging new digital signalling product line.

Speaking of the tie-up, Martin Fenner, Business Development Director at Tilt, said: “We have known the engineers behind Universal Signalling for some time, and have worked with them on many other successful projects. After having heard the detail of their ideas, we were keen to offer our support and get involved. We see significant worldwide demand for a solution such as this: not just as a lower-cost signalling system, but potentially as a way to get digital signalling rolled out much faster than any other design without sacrificing functionality or performance. This in itself has clear safety and performance benefits. We are excited to get started on helping Universal Signalling bring their innovations to market”.

Dr Nick Wright, CTO at Universal Signalling, added “The breadth and depth of experience at Tilt – not just in UK but overseas too – is clearly impressive, as demonstrated by their client base and track record. Having this experience supporting us on our journey to first deployment, and potentially beyond, will be invaluable in making our product the best it can be for our customers. We look forward to getting started this month”. 

Universal Signalling are currently working on 2 product demonstrators. The first, geared towards light rail, is currently being installed at the very light rail national innovation centre at BCIMO, Dudley, and will be up and running from the end of April. The second, a more feature-rich heavy-rail version, will be fitted to the new GCRE test site later in the year under a programme supported by the Department for Business and Trade and Innovate UK. 

Universal Signalling featured in Rail Director magazine

23 March 2024:

Sam Bemment, CEO of Universal Signalling, was interviewed for Rail Director Magazine's March 2024 edition. Rail Director is an industry-leading, printed magazine delivered directly to key decision-makers and government officials.

Magazine editor Danny Longhorn introduced the edition as largely following a signalling theme, with Universal Signalling featured alongside Rob Morris, MD of Siemens Mobility - Rail Infrastructure, Transport secretary Mark Harper, and Toufic Machnouk, Director, Industry partnership for Digital Railway.

Read the full article here.

Infrastructure trial fitment at BCIMO complete

21 March 2024:

Monday 18th March saw our team perform the first full trial installation of our equipment throughout the length of the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation test track in Dudley. Our system was fitted over 2.2km of infrastructure, including a 900m tunnel and an instrumented slab track loop. The installation was  both designed and deployed inside 5 hours by a 3-person team. The team were given no prior information about the track layout other than the total length to be fitted, and the number of point ends (5) and level crossings (in this case, none). The whole team were delighted with the results, surprising even themselves with the speed and simplicity of install. 

Wednesday 20th March saw the team return to temporarily fit the prototype on-train kit to the site's Bance vehicle for initial low speed functionality testing. End-to-end shakedown and functional testing activity was successfully completed within the day.

The team will shortly move on to more in-depth testing activity which will see a wide range of data collected. This will feed into ongoing work around fault tolerance and, most importantly, help make the safety case for the architecture during formal approval workstream.


Leadership team strengthened with CFO appointment

05 March 2024:

Universal Signalling has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Sarah Ashworth ACA as Chief Financial Officer.

Sarah is a Big Four-trained senior finance professional, with a diverse working background ranging from start-ups to FTSE 100. She started her career at KPMG before holding roles within Corporate Financial Analysis (RBS) and Strategic Planning (Experian). Five years ago, Sarah transitioned to start-up / SME-focused work, holding various leadership roles including in fintech. Sarah has always been passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in business and has shaped her career with this in mind.

Sarah joins at a significant time for the company, during a period of headcount growth to deliver two first-of-type technology demonstrator projects for both light and heavy rail applications.