Industrial relevance and academic excellence are difficult to measure. However, a rough estimation of the quality of the CHARMEC research can be had by studying

• Willingness of industry to further support the research
• Papers accepted by international refereed journals and conferences
• Academic degrees earned

In all these areas, we believe that CHARMEC has been successful.

International Evaluation

CHARMEC's 3rd international evaluation took place in March, 2003. A team of evaluators was appointed by VINNOVA:

• Prof John S Baras of University of Maryland (USA)
  
• Prof Cesar Dopazo of CIEMAT, Madrid (SPAIN)
  
• Dr Robert D Fröhling of Spoornet Engineering, Pretoria (SOUTH AFRICA)
• Prof Dudley Roach of Rail CRE, Rockhampton (AUSTRALIA)
  
• Prof Per Stenius, Helsinki University, Helsingfors (FINLAND)
  

The report from the evaluation group was very positive. Some extracts:

• "CHARMEC has established an internationally recognized multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence in railway mechanics with a critical mass of senior research competence. Based on good project management and engineering expertise, excellent results are achieved on vital projects within the railway industry. CHARMEC has been recognized by its industry partners for its international contact network by which they obtain access to the global railway business."
• "CHARMEC has reached over the critical mass and has established itself as an attractor for new PhD students and senior investigators. Academic indicators of excellence have also been met both in qualitative and quantitative terms. The continued strong support of the participating industries is a sign of a lively scientific and technical dynamics. Being invited to join industrial/university consortia for participation at the EU Sixth Framework Programme, attracting new industrial partners, cooperating with EU companies and being consulted by Deutsche Bahn on the 1998 high speed train Eschede accident are significant and worth mentioning distinctions."
  

The full report is available on-line, as is the previous evaluation conducted in March 2000.

Reports and Papers

• There is a complete list of all published literature within CHARMEC until June 2015.
  

• Work between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2021 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2021 (6.5 MB pdf-file
• Work between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2018 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2018 (5 MB pdf-file
• Work between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2015 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2015 (7 MB pdf-file
• Work between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2012 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2012. (7.6 MB pdf-file).
• Work between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2009 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2009 (6.7 MB pdf-file).
• Work between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2006 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2006 (6 MB pdf-file).
• Work between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2003 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2003 (pdf-file 2.7 MB)
• Work between 1 July 1997 and 30 June 2000 is presented in CHARMEC's Triennial Report 2000 (pdf-file 1.2 MB)
• Work between 1 July 1995 and 30 June 1997 is presented in CHARMEC's Biennial Report 1997 (pdf-file 7.1 MB)
• A list of published literature within CHARMEC until June 2015 is also available (pdf-file 2 MB)

Scientific Excellence

• Research degrees gained within the field of railway mechanics at Chalmers are included in the list of researchers at CHARMEC.

International Contacts

• Over the years the railway researchers at CHARMEC have built up a comprehensive contact world-wide network through conference participation, joint seminars, working groups, joint projects and personal visits.
  

EU R&D projects

• At the time of writing (May 2022) CHARMEC participates (has participated) in 22 EU-projects and one European Network of Excellence in railway mechanics. CHARMEC has been Scientific & Technical coordinator of 4 of these (INNOTRACK, D-RAIL, In2Track, and In2Track3). See the research page for details.