Third IRSE Presidential Lecture - Semaphores to Radiowaves: Exploring the Technological Divide in UK Signalling
26 Aug 2025 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Further information:
Third Presidential Lecture, in conjunction with Mott MacDonald "Semaphores to Radiowaves: Exploring the Technological Divide in UK Signalling"
John Smith (Mott MacDonald), will deliver the third lecture in President Bogdan Godziejewski's series Engaging Generation Unlimited.
John Smith is an emerging and enthusiastic railway signalling professional with 3 years post-graduate experience in Signalling Scheme and Detailed Wiring Design. He is passionate about innovation and the prospect of rolling out Digital Signalling in the UK, contributing to a safe, modern evolution of the UK rail network.
In the world of UK Signalling, new technologies are not quick to displace legacy technologies. The industry’s ‘Generation Unlimited’ are positioned to take advantage of decades of rapid technological advancement, whilst also being confronted by the biggest ever technological divide between new and legacy signalling systems.
We have a great challenge on our hands; we need to continue to retain and nurture competency in working with legacy systems, whilst simultaneously attracting new talent into the industry and embracing a sleek and efficient ETCS-controlled railway.
This paper explores the spectrum of signalling technology in-use on UK Railways, at present and into the future, and how this will challenge the industry to maintain high levels of knowledge and competence across that spectrum of technology.
This paper offers insight into how the industry can:
Balance the competing demands of old and new technologies
Retain and transfer legacy knowledge
Attract and develop future-ready talent
In person and live streamed
To book your in-person place click here
Venue: National Rail Museum, York
Location:
Leeman Road
York
YO26 4XJ
United Kingdom
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