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16 from 1,017 citations
Last updated 20th March 2026
Biography
Pedro Antunes is a Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Railway Research, University of Huddersfield, UK. Following his research in the development of numerical analysis tools for railway dynamics, he was awarded both his MSc and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal, with distinction and honours. His PhD thesis, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and entitled “Co-Simulation Methods for Multidisciplinary Problems in Railway Dynamics”, received the Lagrange Award for Springer Outstanding thesis in Multibody Dynamics. Throughout the participation in several European research and enterprise projects he has acquired an extensive expertise in computational dynamics and railway engineering. His research is currently focused in the dynamic analysis pantograph-catenary and vehicle-track interaction, using innovative numerical applications based on co-simulation between finite element and multibody models. Pedro in now working at the Institute of Railway Research supporting the railway industry in several consulting and R&D projects.
Research Expertise and Interests
- Railway
- Pantograph
- Dynamic Analysis
- Rails
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 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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Railway Vehicles and Infrastructure
Antunes, P. (Guest editor), Magalhães, H. (Guest editor) & Aires Montenegro, P. (Guest editor), 2026, (Accepted/In press) MDPI. 164 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › 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) -
Automated pantograph dynamic testing and defect detection
Tucker, G., Fahham, H., Parsa, S. & Antunes, P., 1 Jul 2025, In: Mechanism and Machine Theory. 209, 17 p., 106008.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Development of a mechatronic pantograph for improved contact with railway catenaries in conventional networks
Ramalho, P., Antunes, P., Ambrósio, J. & Oliveira, P., 18 Jun 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Vehicle System Dynamics. 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › 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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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
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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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6th International Conference on Railway Technology
Antunes, P. (Organiser)
2 Sept 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
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Dynamic Analysis of Pantograph-Catenary Interaction on Contact Wire Gradients with Aerodynamic Effects
Antunes, P. (Speaker), Pombo, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Batista Rebelo, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Machado Dos Santos, J. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Pacheco Magalhaes, H. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation), Ambrósio, J. (Speaker), Mishra, R. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation) & Jackson, F. (Contributor to Paper or Presentation)
24 Aug 2023Activity: 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 future of developments in Pantograph-OLE dynamics with Dr Pedro Antunes, Institute of Railway Research
18/08/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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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