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Last updated 23rd March 2026
Biography
João Pombo is Professor of Railway Technology at the Institute of Railway Research, University of Huddersfield, UK, with a PhD and Post-Doc in Mechanical Engineering by the University of Lisbon, Portugal. He is a specialist in railway engineering and technology with more than 24 years’ experience and has been involved in Research and Development (R&D) activities involving train and track dynamics, vehicle-infrastructure and pantograph-catenary interaction, structural analysis, condition monitoring, wear, maintenance and optimization. He has led and participated in several national and international projects in close collaboration with leading international research centres and key industry players. He also has more than three years’ working experience at BOMBARDIER and ALSTOM. João Pombo’s R&D work has been awarded four innovation prizes and he is author of more than 170 papers in refereed journals and international conferences. He is the editor-in-chief of the “International Journal of Railway Technology”, chairman of the "International Conference on Railway Technology" series and editorial board member of the journals “Multibody System Dynamics” and “Energies - Electric Vehicles”.
Research Expertise and Interests
- Railway Vehicles
- Railway Tracks
- railway wheel rail suspension fatigue damage gauging
- Technology Entrepreneurship
- multibody dynamics
- vehicle-track interaction
- vehicle dynamics
- Railway Engineering
- Rolling Stock and Infrastructure
- Rail Transport Challenges
- High Speed Rail
- Maintenance Engineering
- Predictive Maintenance
- Advanced Condition Monitoring
- Design of Mechanical Systems
- Structural Analysis
- Design Optimization
- Vibration of Machines and Mechanisms
- Tribology and Wear
- Industry Applications
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Aerodynamics of Freight Trains–Addressing the Complexity of Train Geometry through an Open Database
Corniani, L., Schito, P., Bell, J., Pombo, J. & Bruni, S., 29 Jan 2026, In: Promet - Traffic and Transportation. 38, 1, p. 58-70 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Modelling and analysis of a pantograph pneumatic actuator under large-catenary-gradient operation
Sanad, M., Liu, X., Li, Y., Titurus, B., Jiang, J. Z., He, H., Graham, M., Zhu, M., Neild, S., Barton, D. A. W., Antunes, P., Dos Santos, J. M., Pombo, J., Askill, M. & Stainton, R., 4 May 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Vehicle System Dynamics. 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
A deep learning-based surrogate model for dynamic interaction assessment of high-speed overhead conductor rail system
Hu, Z., Chen, L., Song, Y., Liu, Z., Pombo, J. & Antunes, P., 15 Nov 2025, In: Engineering Structures. 343, Part C, 18 p., 121221.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
A Theoretical Analysis of Train Induced Structural Vibration of Using Iron Cast Comparing with Concrete Sleeper with Under Sleeper Pad——A Case Study
Qingbo, W., Kaiyue, H., Bowen, H., Wenqiang, Z. & Pombo, J., 28 Mar 2025, The Proceedings of 2024 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Transportation - Volume III. Jia, L., Yao, D., Ma, F., Zhang, L., Chen, Y. & Xue, Q. (eds.). 1st ed. Springer Singapore, Vol. 111. p. 21-29 9 p. (Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering; vol. 1391 LNEE).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Real-Time Rail Electrification Systems Monitoring: A Review of Technologies
Sainz-Aja, J. A., Pombo, J., Brant, J., Antunes, P., Rebelo, J. M., Machado Dos Santos, J. & Ferreño, D., 1 Nov 2025, In: Sensors. 25, 21, 19 p., 6625.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)
Activities
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Machine Learning-Based Parametric Analysis of Railway Systems
Sainz-Aja, J. A. (Speaker), Ferreño, D. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Pombo, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Carrascal, I. A. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Casado, J. A. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Diego, S. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Castro, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation) & Rivas, I. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation)
4 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Research on Dynamic Performance of No.18 Turnout of Passenger Dedicated Line at 400 km/h
Hou, B. (Speaker), Zhu, Y. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Wang, D. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation) & Pombo, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation)
3 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Influence of Overhead Line Equipment Irregularities on Pantograph-Catenary Interaction
Batista Rebelo, J. (Speaker), Antunes, P. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Pombo, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation) & Campbell, D. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation)
2 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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A Model Predictive Controller for Hardware-in-the-Loop Pantograph Test
Tur, M. (Speaker), Gregori, S. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Antunes, P. (Speaker), Machado Dos Santos, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Pedrosa, A. M. P. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Gil Romero, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation) & Pombo, J. (Speaker)
2 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Supporting Railway Electrification with Novel Pantograph-Catenary Dynamic Analysis Tools
Antunes, P. (Speaker), Batista Rebelo, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Machado Dos Santos, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Pombo, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Kemp, T. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation) & Whittaker, M. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation)
2 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
Press/Media
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Supporting and de-risking electrification projects
12/03/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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The UKRRIN Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock
Iwnicki, S., Bevan, A., Crosbee, D., Pombo, J. & Antunes, P.
4/12/18
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment