AI sensors keep East Coast Main Line clear
Network Rail, LNER, CrossTech and Hitachi Rail collaborate on year-long pilot of next-generation digital asset monitoring system for track, embankments and surrounding vegetation.
An innovative new monitoring system is being piloted on the East Coast Main Line in a bid to enhance safety and reduce the chances of damage and delays. Among the potential hazards to the train network are overhanging or invasive trees. Indeed, Network Rail – owner and infrastructure manager of the UK railway network – has estimated that, in just its Southern region, vegetation encroaching on tracks costs some £3m per year.
Photo courtesy Hitachi Rail
A pioneering 12-month trial is now under way to automate the detection of such potential hazards. By spotting where maintenance is needed, and providing insights on when and where maintenance is needed more generally, the new system aims to support a proactive approach to maintaining track and surroundings, and so minimise delays.
Since May, an in-service LNER Azuma train has been fitted with a forward-facing CCTV camera (FFCCTV). The data received from FFCCTV is then processed through the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) camera sensor technology.
The system will be able to monitor overhanging trees and invasive and hazardous tree species. It will also detect leaves on the track, embankment and track conditions including subsidence, and a range of signals including low ballast and level crossings.
Network Rail is sponsoring the pilot project. The technology comes from digital supplier CrossTech; Network Rail has already tested the company’s FFCCTV technology in its Eastern and Southern regions. Hitachi Rail worked on integration, operations and customer interface, the project just the latest development in the company’s wider offer of digital asset monitoring solutions. These systems can live-monitor tracks and overhead lines, as well as the train itself, working either independently or in combination to enable automated and more accurate monitoring.
Johanna Priestley, Route Engineer at Network Rail, says: ‘Vegetation is the only living asset on the railway network and as such understanding the potential risk to trains is ever changing. Using forward facing footage allows us to “see” from the driver’s perspective. We can use this technology to understand where vegetation is encroaching on the operational railway and at risk of making contact with either trains or fixed infrastructure such as overhead electrified wires. We can also identify where vegetation growth has compromised the driver’s view such as on the approach to signals or level crossings. This initiative will allow us to make passengers’ journeys more reliable and help minimise the risk of disruption on the network.’
Linda Wain, Engineering Director at LNER, adds: ‘At LNER, we are always looking at how we can further enhance our performance and innovate to provide our customers with an even better experience when travelling with us. We are delighted to be working with our industry partners on this digital trial, with technology fitted in the train cab that will provide real-time information and updates on infrastructure, helping to highlight any potential issues.’
Nick Hughes, Senior Director, Sales UK & Ireland at Hitachi Rail, says: ‘We are proud to play a role in this digital monitoring solution which could reduce disruption and support more convenient journeys for passengers. The trial demonstrates how Hitachi Rail is a trusted partner to deliver value and collaboration which supports digital innovation and UK SMEs. FFCCTV is the latest in a series of digital asset monitoring solutions that together have the potential to revolutionise real-time data collection and visualisation by trains running across the UK, generating valuable insights that drive better decisions.’
Haydon Bartlett-Tasker at CrossTech, adds: ‘The team at CrossTech is thrilled to be working with our partners to introduce market-leading computer vision infrastructure inspection analytics to the East Coast Mainline. The project is a testament to our long-standing collaboration with Network Rail’s Eastern and Southern Regions. It marks a significant advancement for frontline teams with passengers and freight customers continuing to benefit from Network Rail’s adoption of forward-facing CCTV computer vision technology to support a safer and higher performance railway.’
In related news:
1/3 of organisation leaders believe digital transformation is ‘continuous’
Leave a Reply