A £215,000 grant has been secured by a York technology firm as it’s rail safety software is being put to the test by the industry.

Incremental Solutions, based at York Science Park, won the grant contribution from the Government’s Innovate UK agency to support the firm’s RAPPORT project (Real Time Accurate Position and Protection of Rail Transport).

Through the project Incremental Solutions has developed a first of its kind software package which brings together data streams to provide improved location accuracy and detail of train incidents in a bid to speed up emergency response.

RAPPORT will enhance a real-time positional system, developed by Incremental Solutions, named Sentinel, which is already used by various train operators to locate a train to within five metres of its precise location using data from its on-board Wi-Fi router.

The new software will further develop Sentinel’s capabilities, accelerating incident response times and reducing service disruption by speeding up reopening of lines afterwards.

Development and trials of the new software are being supported in collaboration with Network Rail, train operator Arriva Rail North, Leeds University and on-board passenger Wi-Fi provider Icomera.

Daniel Lee-Bursnall, commercial director of Incremental Solutions, said: “Developing RAPPORT from existing data sources means it will find an immediate market in the rail industry, while increasing its attractiveness to international customers.

“RAPPORT will deliver an up to the second snapshot of train on track supported by interactive mapping, thereby providing better situational awareness for rail control teams. It will also aid and accelerate incident response and recovery by rail mobilisation teams, British Transport Police and other emergency services.”

News of the successful funding bid to develop RAPPORT is being welcomed by Make It York, the destination management organisation which promotes the city to investors.

Charles Storr, business growth manager at Make It York, said: “York has a rich heritage in the railway industry and is redefining what it means to be a future global rail hub built on cutting edge transport technology and business innovation.

“We’ve worked extensively with Daniel and the team to help them expand, innovate and lead the way in rail technology, and are delighted that they are leading the consortium on project RAPPORT.”