Installed on Belgium's busiest rail link, the thermal imaging cameras make it possible to detect people crossing the tracks in time and prevent more serious incidents. Focus.

In 2018, Infrabel reported 768 railway crossing incidents, resulting in 139,650 min of delays, an average of more than 6 hours per day on the entire network. These incidents are usually unfortunate, but can quickly become unmanageable if they occur on Belgium's busiest railway line, the six-track and partly underground link between Brussels North and Brussels South (1,200 trains/day). "When an incident occurs on one of these tracks and the trains are stopped, a large part of the Belgian railway network is affected," says Stefaan Vernieuwe, project manager in Infrabel's ICT department.

Detection of people

In response to this recurring problem that puts lives at risk and also causes significant delays and costs to taxpayers, Infrabel took advantage of a program to modernize the tunnel inaugurated in 1952 to install an intrusion detection system. The network manager required equipment with a detection accuracy of 99%.
The system uses advanced detection algorithms (built into the camera) to determine whether it is an individual, in which case the system activates an alarm, or a non-targeted object such as a small animal or a passing train. When an alarm is activated, a control room operator can then initiate an automatic intrusion scenario. Such a scenario includes measures such as turning on the lights at the detection location, sending a voice message to the person causing the intrusion, or reporting the intrusion to a traffic controller in the relevant signal centre. "Unlike optical sensors, thermal imaging can accurately detect people crossing railway tracks in the dark, over a long distance and even in the most difficult weather conditions.

A feedback process

This competitive advantage allows control room operators to better assess the situation in real time and decide whether to initiate a scenario or not. The thermal video generated can also be used for later incident analysis purposes. As a result, rail network operators can identify and prevent problems more quickly through feedback. This virtuous circle leads to safer operation of public transit systems.