Britain’s railway has taken a significant step forward in the development of quantum navigation technology, with a new system designed to measure train position with high precision now tested on the national network.

Quantum inertial navigation uses ultra sensitive sensors to detect small changes in motion and rotation, allowing trains to determine their position without relying on satellite signals. Unlike GPS, the system can operate in tunnels, dense infrastructure or areas affected by interference, offering a more resilient alternative to existing positioning methods.

The Rail Quantum Inertial Navigation System was recently tested on a mainline service operated by Govia Thameslink Railway between central London and Welwyn Garden City. The trial provided real world data on system performance within a live railway environment, marking the first time this technology has been tested on a mainline anywhere in the world.

The technology is being explored as a potential replacement for fixed trackside positioning infrastructure, which can be expensive to install and maintain and may be vulnerable to disruption or failure. A successful rollout could reduce costs while improving operational reliability and resilience.

Development is being led by a consortium including MoniRail Ltd, Imperial College London, University of Sussex, QinetiQ, PA Consulting and National Physical Laboratory, with support from Innovate UK and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Source: Global Railway Review

Image: Network Rail