Essex KTP associate shortlisted for Innovate UK Award

An inspirational Essex Knowledge Transfer Partnership associate who is helping change the landscape of the railway vegetation industry has been nominated for a prestigious Innovate UK award.

Mohammed Mahbubur Rob Mahid, an AI/ Vision Researcher in Railway Trackside Vegetation Management at Railscape Ltd, has been shortlisted in the Future Leader category for his work alongside the University of Essex.

Essex and Railscape, a special service provider to the railway industry, partnered under Innovate UK’s KTP programme to explore the use of AI while carrying out trackside vegetation surveys.

The team, which included Drs Xiaojun Zhai, John Woods, and Adran Clark from Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, and Professor Tracy Lawson, from the School of Life Sciences, have developed an intelligent vision system for inspection and analysis of trackside vegetation.

It means they can now identify plant species and specimen size, location and health based on data captured via unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys.

Mahid has been able to seamlessly integrate AI technology with practical vegetation management throughout the project, something which has significantly improved resource allocation, operational efficiency and safety for railway operators across the UK.

Mahid demonstrated exceptional project management skills and strong leadership throughout the KTP, engaging well with both clients and stakeholders.

Railscape is now building strategic and targeted vegetation management reports for Network Rail and several the train operators as a result of the KTP.

This has reduced the reliance on intensive manual labour, accelerating analysis and speeding up the processing of data.

Dr Zhai said: “Mahid distinguishes himself through innovative thinking, leadership qualities, and a relentless pursuit of impactful excellence.

“His contributions have not only transformed vegetation management practices but also established him as a forward-thinking leader capable of driving significant business advancements.

“Mahid’s journey and accomplishments exemplify his potential as an innovative leader of the future, making him an outstanding candidate for this award.

“His dedication, expertise, and leadership continue to inspire those around him at Railscape and beyond, and his work demonstrates the transformative power of AI technology can have on organisations and industries at large.”

The successful KTP was recognised in last year's Celebration of Innovation Awards, where Railscape was awarded the Best KTP (SME) Award. 

Mahid said: “Being nominated for Innovate UK's Future Leader Award is an incredible honour and a significant milestone in my career. It highlights the success of our Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) in developing an AI-driven solution for railway trackside vegetation management, addressing an essential challenge in the rail industry.

“Through this innovative approach, we've demonstrated how artificial intelligence can enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in infrastructure maintenance. The recognition from Innovate UK not only validates the hard work and dedication that went into this project but also underscores the potential of AI in transforming traditional industries.

“Personally, this nomination is a reminder of the importance of pushing boundaries and thinking creatively to solve complex problems. It motivates me to continue driving innovation and leadership in AI applications for infrastructure. I'm deeply proud to be recognized, and it encourages me to contribute further to technological advancements in this field.”

Funded by Innovate UK and Research Councils, KTPs are an established and successful initiative to drive innovation and growth through the transfer of expertise from a university to an external business.