COMPASS Competition - £4M funded!

COMbined Positioning Alternative Signalling System (COMPASS) Phase 2

What is the challenge?

The competition is seeking concepts and solutions for a COMbined Positioning Alternative Signalling System (COMPASS). COMPASS is a system that is to be developed to enable trains to continue to move when the current signal system fails. It will also provide signallers with an alternative and more accurate view of a train’s position, speed and direction of travel.

The purpose of this competition is to attract short-term, proof-of-concept research proposals from across multiple sectors for highly innovative technology approaches relevant to railways related industries. This may involve cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research through the application of existing tools and techniques, but using novel research approaches.

The competition will include two parts with successful applicants funded to carry out an initial feasibility study to investigate the technical and commercial viability of their proposed solutions. The most promising innovators will receive funding to demonstrate systems and component validation in a relevant environment with one solution being taken forward to a Proof of Concept demonstration.

Why is this competition being held?

A programme to understand the scope of the requirements for COMPASS has already been in progress using commercially off-the-shelf technologies (Phase 1). However, moving forward, this programme is not restricted to using only commercially off-the-shelf technologies. A key aim of this competition is also to broaden the scope into early stage technologies, as well as existing developed technologies.

Another aim of the competition is to open up the market and encourage new players into it, because this will stimulate accelerated development and commercialisation of the technologies needed by the COMPASS programme.

A further desired aim of this competition is to encourage interaction and collaboration amongst the organisations in the supply chain, which will have benefits both to the COMPASS programme as well as to those organisations beyond the COMPASS programme.

What is the process and the timescales?

This fully funded competition covers the provision of funding for Phase 2 of COMPASS and covers the 3 parts of Phase 2 i.e.•  

• Feasibility studies  
• System Integration and Test Facility (SI&TF)  
• Demonstrator

Only applicants selected for funding of feasibility studies will be considered for funding in the subsequent parts of Phase 2.

It is currently envisaged that a small number of organisations/consortia will be funded to produce competing solutions for the feasibility stage and two consortia will be funded for the Integration and Test Facility (I&TF). Finally, one consortium will be taken forward to the demonstrator phase.

The vision for how COMPASS will be delivered is that it will be led by a prime contractor, who will form a consortium with a number of collaborators.

The role of the prime contractor will most likely be to:

• co-ordinate responses to customer requirements and competitions
• bring control systems knowledge and integration capability to the consortium
• bring a broad knowledge of signalling systems to the consortium

The role of the consortium collaborator will most likely be to:

• bring one or more relevant technologies to the consortium
• bring complementary knowledge or expertise to the consortium

Who can enter the competition?

The competition is open to companies, organisations from the private or public sector, as well as universities, who will be capable of designing to the competition brief and delivering the demonstration products. It is envisaged that collaborative consortia, each consisting a prime lead integrator supported by other companies, SMEs and universities to provide complementary technologies and capabilities will submit entries to this competition

Who is involved in the judging?

The competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts.

How can I register interest in the competition and receive further information?

• A competition event will be held to brief interested suppliers and to provide an opportunity to connect with other interested parties to explore collaboration opportunities
• There will be an opportunity for organisations attending to make a short 2-minute (2 PowerPoint slides only) pitch of their own competencies and any capabilities where partnering is sought (numbers will be limited and so organisations must request a slot);
• Key COMPASS stakeholders including senior representatives from Network Rail and FutureRailway (RSSB) will present the competition background, requirements, funding and guidelines
• Date: Tuesday 10th February 2015
• Location: Prince Philip House, 3 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5DG
• Time: 10am to 3pm
• To register: email your contact details (Attendee Name*, Role, Company, and Contact) to: compass@Futurerailway.org

Is there an agenda for the call briefing?

The events will set out the challenge and competition scope in detail and provide an opportunity to ask questions and to network.

What if I cannot attend?

Organisations do not need to attend the industry briefing event to be able to enter the competition. However not attending may limit the opportunity to identify and connect with potential partners. A video of the event plus materials from the event will be made available via the FutureRailway website (http://www.futurerailway.org).

When does the competition close?

Competition applications must be submitted by 1pm on 27th March 2015

Where can I find out more information?

More info at: FutureRailway call web page including a link to the COMPASS Competition Briefing Document

Participate and help make a difference!