Birmingham Dubai Railway Simulation Challenge

As cities around the world invest in smarter and more sustainable transport systems, the railway industry is increasingly turning to digital technologies and simulation to improve operational performance and energy efficiency.

The University of Birmingham Dubai invites aspiring railway engineers, technology enthusiasts and transport professionals to take part in the Birmingham Dubai Railway Simulation Challenge - an interactive challenge designed to explore how timetable optimisation can improve regenerative braking performance in modern metro systems.

Using industry-relevant railway simulation software, participants will work with a live metro operations model and investigate how train scheduling decisions can impact energy consumption across a railway network.

About the challenge

Join the University of Birmingham Dubai Railway Simulation Challenge and experience how digital simulation can support smarter, more energy-efficient metro operations.

In this online challenge, participants will use the Birmingham Rail Virtual Environment (BRaVE) software developed by the University of Birmingham to explore how metro timetables can be optimised to improve the reuse of regenerative braking energy. 

The activity offers a hands-on introduction to railway simulation, timetable optimisation, sustainable transport and data-driven decision-making.

Why participate?

This challenge gives participants the opportunity to:

• Work with an industry-relevant railway simulation tool
• Explore how timetable decisions affect energy efficiency
• Apply systems thinking to a real railway operations problem
• Experience the type of digital and analytical skills used in railway engineering
• Compete for exciting prizes

It is a practical and engaging way to see how engineering, operations, sustainability and simulation come together in modern railway systems.

Who is the challenge for?

The challenge is suitable for:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate students in engineering, mathematics or related disciplines
• Final-year students currently studying engineering, mathematics or a closely related subject
• Working professionals in the railway, metro, transport, infrastructure or smart mobility sectors
• Individuals with an interest in sustainable transport, simulation, optimisation and urban railway operations

How the challenge works?

Participants will use a simplified metro operations simulation model and test different timetable settings.

During the challenge, participants will:

1. Run a baseline simulation
2. Adjust the service interval between two trains
3. Compare simulation results
4. Identify the timetable setting that gives the best performance
5. Submit their result

The winner will be the participant or team that achieves the best results while following the competition rules.

Preparation required

• Registered participants will be asked to download the BRaVE simulator before the challenge. The file will be shared with participants ahead of the competition.
• Participants should also watch a short preparation video before the session to become familiar with the simulator and setup process. 

The detailed competition brief will be shared with registered participants during the event.

Prizes and recognition

• Overall Winner: AED 2,000 Amazon voucher
• Runner-Up: AED 1,500 Amazon voucher
• Third Place: AED 1,000 Amazon voucher
• Best UoB Dubai Undergraduate submission: AED 1,000 Amazon voucher
• Second-Best UoB Dubai Undergraduate submission: AED 500 Amazon voucher
• Best UoB Dubai Postgraduate submission: AED 1000 Amazon voucher

Registration deadline 

All individuals and/or teams must complete registration by 25 June 2026.

Related programme

Interested in advancing your expertise in railway systems and transport infrastructure?

Explore our postgraduate programme in MSc Railway Systems Engineering and Integration and discover how you can build specialist knowledge in one of the world’s fastest-evolving industries.