Artificial intelligence software is helping Network Rail find and remove forgotten debris from the trackside faster and safer than ever before.
Credit: Network Rail
The Network Rail Southern region trialed One Big Circle’s video and AI technology to find old railroad kits that can be reused or recycled, reduce the risk of colleague injury from slips, trips and falls, and organize railroads. Leading. at the same time.
The technology, known as Automated Intelligent Video Review (AIVR), captures high-definition train point-of-view video from across the rail network, which can be instantly accessed in the cloud. This footage is analyzed by AI to detect abandoned rails, sleepers and ballast bags and map their locations using GPS so maintenance teams can plan when and how to safely remove items. You will be able to
“Technologies such as AIVR offer Network Rail a great opportunity to improve efficiency as a business,” said Wayne Cherry, senior innovation engineer at Network Rail. “Although AIVR has already been used in other parts of Network Rail, this is the first time the technology has been used in AI in this way and could be truly transformative.” Not only is some scrap unsightly, it can interfere with planned earthwork, block safe passages, or delay teams accessing a piece of rail infrastructure for repairs during a disruption. Being able to identify and remove waste materials more safely and efficiently will not only ensure the safety of our colleagues, but will also benefit the broader rail industry, passengers and taxpayers.”
Credit: Network Rail
The project is currently being trialled on the Wessex route, one of the busiest on the rail network, through all or parts of the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire, before considering commencement. out wider.
This new technology not only helps improve efficiency, but also has safety and economic benefits. “Slips, trips and falls” are the leading cause of injury on Network Rail’s Wessex lines, and trackside scrap is a significant hazard, especially since most of the work is done in the dark.
“We are delighted to be working with One Big Circle on this exciting project,” said Martin Shafttoe, Health and Safety Advisor for Network Rail’s Wessex Lines. “This technology will not only play an important role in keeping our frontline colleagues safe and finding and removing scrap more efficiently, but it will also improve the overall health of the railroad for the benefit of passengers and local communities. We believe that it will play an important role in improving Unfortunately, in recent years the railway has become a dumping ground for abandoned railway sleepers, abandoned rails, surplus ballast bags and many other assets. The challenge we face is that we don’t have a clear list of where these materials and assets are located. The prospect of using high-definition video footage and AI to pinpoint the location of scrap materials without having to walk along a railroad track for your colleagues presents a huge opportunity to improve safety. “
Financially, not only can some of the scrap material be recycled and the money generated can be used to support railroad operations, but some of the leftover material can also be reused. For example, Bomac concrete sleepers are no longer manufactured, but are still in demand as a replacement for sidings and some railroad tracks. Thanks to this technology, 40 of these sleepers have been identified at a site between Yeovil and Weymouth where they can be collected and stored for future use throughout the operation, eliminating the need to purchase expensive new equivalents. disappears.
