Leading Edge Developments in Railway Technology, York University
About this Event
Two locations. Many fascinating insights.
Join the IRSE and two leading UK universities in York and/or Birmingham this November for expert insight into the ideas and technologies shaping modern railway signalling, telecommunications, train control and operations.
Hear from specialists working across industry and education, including the team from China behind Virtual Coupling Technology and Its Application in Urban Rail Transit—winner of the 2026 IRSE Global Industry Awardfor Innovation of the Year, a technology which enables trains to operate as coordinated formations without physical couplers, using train-to-train communication, cooperative control and intelligent dispatching.
There will be other leading-edge presentations from both China and the UK including the use of quantum techniques.
Whether you join us in York (one day with a Presidential lecture the evening before) or Birmingham (one and a half days), Leading Edge Developments in Railway Technology offers an opportunity to encounter emerging thinking, practical innovation and meet some of the people advancing railway technology today.
There will be common presentations at both locations but also some that are location specific so check out the full programmes and booking information on the IRSE website and pick which is best for you or even consider attending both.
This listing is to book for the University of York, 17 November 2026 seminar
York, UK - Nov 17th https://irse.info/york26
Programme details are subject to confirmation.
YORK SEMINAR PROGRAMME
Leading Edge Developments in Railway Technology
Tuesday 17 November 2026
Institute for Safe Autonomy, University of York
Provisional timings and programme
08:15–09:00 | Registration and Coffee
Delegate registration and networking
Location: Atrium
09:00–09:10 | Welcome and Introductions
Rod Muttram, FIRSE
IRSE President
Institution of Railway Signal Engineers
Location: Seminar Room
09:10–09:50 | Seminar 1
Professor Clive Roberts, FIRSE
University of Durham
Location: Seminar Room
Presentation title to be confirmed.
09:50–10:30 | Seminar 2
Professor David Grace
Migration to FRMCS for Next-Generation Train Control
University of York
Institute for Safe Autonomy
School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
Location: Seminar Room
10:30–11:00 | Coffee Break
Networking
Location: Atrium
11:00–11:40 | Seminar 3
Yilong Wen and Wei Wang, FIRSE
Research and Application of Virtual Coupling Operation Control Technology for Urban Rail Transit
Winner of the IRSE Global Award 2026 – Innovation of the Year
Traffic Control Technology Co., Ltd.
Location: Seminar Room
11:40–12:20 | Seminar 4
Professor John McDermid OBE, FREng
Assuring Autonomy with Applications in Rail
University of York
Institute for Safe Autonomy
Centre for Assuring Autonomy
Location: Seminar Room
12:20–13:40 | Lunch and University Tour
Lunch, networking and a tour of University facilities
Location: Atrium
13:40–14:20 | Seminar 5
Dr Jie Zou, Dr Josh Hunter and Professor John McDermid OBE, FREng
Structural Causal World Models and Their Application to Virtual Coupling
University of York
Institute for Safe Autonomy
Centre for Assuring Autonomy
Location: Seminar Room
14:20–15:00 | Seminar 6
Xiangyi Li
Heavy Haul Train Group Operation Control System
CRSC Research & Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.
Location: Seminar Room
15:00–15:40 | Seminar 7
Speaker and presentation title to be confirmed
Location: Seminar Room
15:40–16:00 | Closing Remarks and Close
Rod Muttram, FIRSE
IRSE President
Institution of Railway Signal Engineers
Location: Seminar Room
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 35.00 to GBP 161.02
