News

CNERC-Rail Research Seminar: Prof. Bill Spencer from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

On May 2, 2025, fom 5:00 to 6:00 pm (Hong Kong time), a research seminar entitled "Energy-efficient Autonomous Framework for Monitoring Railroad Bridges in the USA using Wireless Smart Sensors" was successfully held by CNERC-Rail at Room Z209, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. gave a presentation in the seminar Prof. Bill Spencer, a faculty member of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prof. Bill Spencer, a renowned expert in structural health monitoring and cyberinfrastructure applications, presented an innovative monitoring system for railway bridges using wireless smart sensors. This system overcomes the challenges of remote data acquisition and autonomous operation and provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for bridge monitoring.

PolyU signing strategic agreements with China Railway Electrification Group to establish joint research laboratory

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and China Railway Electrification Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (CREEG) recently held a ceremony for signing a strategic cooperation agreement on technology research and application, as well as the establishment of a joint laboratory in Beijing. Through the Beijing-Hong Kong technology cooperation mechanism, both parties aim to cultivate high-calibre talents with innovative theories and practical experience, and to establish a global hub for rail transit innovation as well as a model for industry-academic integration. This collaboration will support the national strategy of "strengthening the country through developing transportation" and contribute to the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region aw well as the construction of a national benchmark city of digital economy. CREEG, a key member of China Railway Group Limited and a dual Fortune Global 500 company, is the national team and main force in the construction of electrified railway network and urban rail transit in China. This partnership will leverage the strengths of both parties to expolre innovation in rail transit. In the ceremony Prof. Yi-Qing Ni, Chair Professor of Intelligent Structures and Rail Transit in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU, signed a strategic cooperation agreement on technology research and application with Mr. Yu-Bing Li, Chief Engineer of the Electrification Company of CREEG. Professor Ni is the Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Railway Electrification and Automation (Hong Kong Branch) and Dean of the PolyU Hangzhou Technology Innovation Institute. PolyU's delegation took the opportunity to visit the Electric Traction Equipment Research and Development Center of Beijing Electric Traction Company of CREEG. They gained insight into CREEG's latest technological developments and innovative achievements in intelligent construction, digital technology application, and intelligent operation and maintenance systems for rail transit. Both sides had in-depth technical exchanges and discussions on the intelligent and digital development of rail transit.

Zhejiang Communications Engineering Group Co., Ltd. Visits The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

On the afternoon of April 28, 2025, Zhejiang Communications Engineering Group Co., Ltd. held an exchange meeting with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in Room ZS840, Block Z, at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the field of engineering technology. Participants:  Zhejiang Communications Engineering Group Co., Ltd.: Ms. Yan-Yan Liu (Deputy Party Secretary, Executive General Manager), Dr. Dong Liu (Deputy Chief Engineer, Director of the Quality and Technology Department (Research Institute)), Dr. Chun-Lin Xu (Director of the Quality and Technology Department (Research Institute)) and Dr. Tie Chen (Staff Member of the Quality and Technology Department (Research Institute)). Zhejiang Communications Investment Hong Kong Representative Office: Mr. De-Hua Wang (Chief Representative) and Dr. Jian Bao (Director of Science and Innovation). Department of CEE, PolyU: Prof. Song-Ye Zhu (Associate Head (Research) and Professor), Prof. Zhen Leng (Professor, Associate Director of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality), Dr. Ning Zhang (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Si-Qi Ding (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Wai Kei Ao (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Qiu-Chan Meng (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Zi-Xuan Liang (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Electronic and Information Engineering) and Dr. Lu Bai (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering). Both parties engaged in an in-depth discussion on cutting-edge technologies such as intelligent transportation and green buildings, reaching a preliminary agreement on cooperation. They plan to promote technological innovation through resource sharing.        

A delegation from the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) and HollySys Transportation International Limited visited the CNERC- Rail Centre

On 12 March 2025, Mr. Eric Leung (Deputy Chief Manager (Advanced Manufacturing and New Energy Technology)) from OASES, which is under The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and Mr. Jia-Yuan Zhou (Deputy General Manager and Business Development Director) from HollySys Transportation International Limited, which is under Beijing HollySys Co., Ltd., visited the CNERC-Rail at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Dr. May Su-Mei Wang (Research Assistant Professor) and Dr. Vincent Wai Kei Ao (Research Assistant Professor) have introduced related research of CNERC-Rail. The OASES, HollySys and CNERC-Rail had engaged in an in-depth discussion.

Obituary

It is with our deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Professor Roderick Smith, Distinguished Visiting Chair Professor of Railway Engineering at The Hong Kong Branch of the National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre (hereinafter referred to as “CNERC-Rail (HK Branch)”), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.  Professor Roderick Smith passed away on 26 December 2024, his 77th birthday after a tragic accident. His contributions to the field of railway engineering and his dedication to education have left an indelible mark on our community. Throughout his time at CNERC-Rail (HK Branch), Professor Smith inspired both research students and our team members with his expertise in railway research and his passion for research and teaching. He was a brilliant scholar, mentor, and friend to many. We will fondly remember his dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration within the Centre. As we mourn the loss of Professor Smith, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. A memorial service will be held on 7 March 2025 at 10:00 p.m. (HK time). The service will be live-streamed on the following YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCew-RHHZSldBM9yYyq6mkHg All are welcome to join in honouring his memory.  Sincerely, Prof. Yi-Qing Ni Yim, Mak, Kwok & Chung Professor in Smart Structures Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit Director of National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering The Hong Kong Polytechnic University  

A delegation from Department of Supervision and Scientific Integrity, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China visited the CNERC-Rail Centre

CNERC-Rail-Research-Seminar, delivered by Prof. Steven D. Glaser from University of California, Berkeley

CNERC-Rail-Research-Seminar, delivered by Prof. Dongping FANG from Tsinghua University

A delegation from the Hunan Science & Technology Department visited the CNERC- Rail Centre

University Grants Committee members visit PolyU