Keep Off the Track

Sensing Feeling has developed a visual sensing platform that uses IoT edge processing and cloud-based algorithms based on low-power, high-performance deep neural networks for real-time human behaviour sensing in real-world spaces. 

Interactual, together with JNDC, partnered with Sensing Feeling for an Innovate UK funded project to apply this tech to detect and deter trespass at the ends and edges of railway platforms. 

The project required that we built 2 functioning demonstrators for installation at an unmanned station with recognised trespass issues. These had to be stand-alone devices, rugged enough to withstand the environmental conditions, vandal-proof and able to detect incursions over a 6-month trial period. One installation was to be mains powered; the other was required to be completely self-sufficient to demonstrate that the tech could be installed in even the most remote railway locations.  

As a highly regulated environment, the challenge was to satisfy safety and regulatory requirements enough that prototype equipment could be installed into potentially hazardous real-life locations. Our approach was to use as much equipment as we could that had previously been approved for use in the rail environment. Examples include the use of Altron tilt-down posts and the complete energy harvesting system supplied by Marlec. Where no precedence existed, we adopted a modular approach to the electronics by combining proprietary industrial grade self-contained and individually compliance tested product to achieve the required functionality. 

Both posts were installed overnight under route possession by a team comprising staff from Network Rail, Sensing Feeling, Interactual, JNDC, and Linbrooke.