Dr John Armstrong

John’s ongoing and recent research work includes the whole-life cost analysis of individual railway earthworks assets, and of routes and networks, with and without interventions, to identify the most economically efficient approaches to asset maintenance and renewal in the face of uncertainty, including the need for adaptation to the effects of climate change. This work on the EPSRC (UKRI)-funded ACHILLES research programme also includes the examination of the value of obtaining and analysing additional data on asset condition, based on the unit and overall costs and benefits of obtaining and processing the data. For the In2Track2 project, part of the EU’s Shift2Rail research programme, John developed a Pugh Matrix-based qualitative assessment framework to enable the comparison of alternative novel railway track forms on the basis of economic and other performance metrics. In the course of the EPSRC-funded Track to the Future (T2F) research programme, he analysed the unit and overall economic costs of installing alternative means for reducing the impacts of noise and vibration from existing railway lines, and the resulting environmental and economic benefits. John has also worked extensively on the analysis of timetable and performance data, and the investigation of the effects of capacity utilisation and other timetable-related factors on train service performance.

John teaches the Capacity, Timetabling and Traffic Management elements of the CENV3065 Railway Engineering and Operations module.

In previous work at Arup and at CH2M Hill/Jacobs, John gained extensive experience and expertise in railway operations and performance analysis, modelling and planning, including the calculation and analysis of capacity utilisation and performance values across Britain’s railway network, and the development of an Operational Philosophy for Britain’s railways.  He also conducted a wide range of railway-related data assurance activities, principally in an Independent Reporter role with Arup for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).  His wider transport planning experience includes development planning work and the economic assessment of highway schemes, and early in his career he worked on site on a range of civil engineering construction projects.