By Dan Lieberman
Caltrain and Herzog are embracing new technologies in order to make Caltrain safer for everyone. The rail agency has installed RailSentry at its Broadway Crossing in Burlingame and will soon install the new safety feature at Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto. Broadway and Churchill are two crossings that frequently experience acts of trespassing, and an additional security measure may well save lives and keep Caltrain service running efficiently.
RailSentry is an advanced and intelligent solution that uses LiDAR and cameras to observe an area and alert railroad operations groups to mitigate collisions between trains and vehicles, people, or other objects.
This innovative technology works in three phases: Observe, Analyze, Alert. Vehicles, bicycles, people, and even smaller objects like luggage and backpacks can be detected. Then, using an AI-based learning software, RailSentry can determine the object’s location and proximity to the railroad tracks. Finally, alerts are generated if a hazardous condition is detected, and configurable notifications are sent to the right people immediately.
Safety is paramount at Caltrain and ensuring that our trains are operating safely remains our top priority. We at Caltrain are eager to engage with new technologies that can help us make our corridor safer, and we thank Herzog for helping to move towards that goal.