Network Rail Southern Region are trialling artificial intelligence software to identify forgotten scrap materials at the side of the track so they can be removed safely.
Utilising a technology called Automated Intelligent Video Review from a company called One Big Circle, it is hoped that it will locate old railway kit that can be re-used or recycled, reducing the risk of injury to colleagues and tidy the railway at the same time.
The technology captures high-definition train’s-eye-view video from across the network whilst in operation, with the footage instantly accessible in the cloud.
At that stage, footage is analysed by AI to find scrap rail, sleepers and bags of ballast which then maps their location using GPS.
The maps are then given to maintenance teams to plan how and when to safely remove the items.
Wayne Cherry, Network Rail senior innovations engineer, said: “Technology such as AIVR provides Network Rail with a brilliant opportunity to improve how efficient we are as a business. While AIVR is already in use across other parts of Network Rail, this will be the first time this technology has been used in this way with AI and could be a real game-changer.
“Not only is scrap on the side of the railway unsightly, but it can also become an obstacle during planned engineering work, block safe walkways or delay our teams accessing part of the railway infrastructure to make repairs during disruption.
“If we can become safer and more efficient with identifying and removing scrap material, it will not only help our colleagues stay safe, but benefit the wider rail industry, passengers and the taxpayer.”
The project is currently being trialled on the Wessex route – which is one of the busiest on the rail network, taking in all or part of the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire – before looking to roll it out more widely.
In addition to helping improve efficiency, the new technology also has safety and financial advantages.
On Network Rail’s Wessex route, ‘slips, trips and falls’ are the largest causes of injury and scrap on the side of the track is a significant hazard, particularly as most work happens during darkness.
Emily Kent, One Big Circle co-founder and director, said: “This is a really exciting application of AI developed in collaboration with Network Rail experts.
“The AIVR system collects high quality lineside imagery from across the whole of the UK to help many different engineers and disciplines see what they need to see without attending site.
“Adding further intelligence to that data - as with this automatic detection and location of scrap rail and other lineside hazards - really enables you to hone in on specific issues and respond to them quickly and safely.”
Photo Credit: IStock - Chris Hepburn
Video Credit: One Big Circle
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