Recently, Catherine Atkinson, MP for Derby North and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, visited DG8’s Derby offices. She met with the Icomera Group design and engineering specialist to learn more about how the company is supporting innovation, employment, and passenger safety in the UK rail industry.
During the visit, DG8’s leadership team outlined how the company supports rail operators and technology providers in bringing new innovations into service on trains, combining design, engineering and rail expertise to turn concepts into successful, rail-compliant outcomes.
A key focus of the discussion was the role that onboard solutions can play in enhancing passenger safety and supporting wider industry efforts to improve security on public transport, including for women and vulnerable passengers.
DG8 highlighted its work supporting Northern’s Class 769 fleet upgrades, where it contributed to the integration of onboard video systems designed to enhance operational visibility and passenger experience. By combining high-quality video with AI-enabled analytics, these systems help operators better understand and respond to onboard situations. This supports more timely interventions, contributing to a more visible and reassuring environment for passengers.
Crucially, these capabilities are underpinned by advances in onboard connectivity. As the rail industry explores new ways to improve Passenger Wi‑Fi, particularly through satellite Internet networks, there is an opportunity to support a broader range of onboard services at the same time. The ability to reliably transmit high-quality data, including video, enables operators not only to enhance the passenger experience, but also to improve situational awareness and support more effective responses to incidents across transport networks.
Alongside digital technologies, the visit explored the role of industrial design in shaping safer and more inclusive onboard environments. Factors such as lighting, layout and visibility can all influence how passengers experience a space, and DG8’s multidisciplinary approach ensures these factors are addressed alongside technical requirements from the outset.
The visit also highlighted DG8’s continued investment in the Derby region, supporting skilled employment and contributing to the city’s long-standing position as a centre of excellence for rail engineering. Employing 45 engineers and designers, DG8 provides a delivery-focused environment where individuals gain hands-on experience across the full lifecycle of rail projects, from concept to installation. In doing so, the company not only supports its customers, but also contributes to building long-term capability across the wider rail industry.
Following the visit, Ben Dunlop, Managing Director of DG8, said: “It was great to share how we’re helping rail operators bring new solutions into service, combining design, engineering and technology to ensure they work reliably on trains. That’s increasingly important as the industry looks to improve both passenger safety and the onboard experience in real-world operating conditions.”
Catherine Atkinson MP said: “Derby has shaped Britain’s railways for generations, and companies like DG8 are showing how that legacy can drive the industry forward. Better connectivity and onboard technology can make journeys safer and improve the experience for passengers, while supporting skilled jobs here in the city.
“Derby’s rail history is something to be proud of, and its future is just as exciting.”
