Northern to install technology used by NASA to improve the railway’s safety and efficiency

The rail operator has revealed information about light detection and ranging (LIDAR) scanning technology which will be installed across its 345 fleet of trains

LIDAR technology will prove to be key for the rail operator with the horizon-scanning cameras able to detect infrastructure defects, environmental threats alongside discovering maintenance issues.

The cameras will be mounted on the train and will use light detection and ranging (LIDAR) process which is used by meteorologists to measure clouds and pollution and was also more famously used for mapping the surface of the moon by NASA.

Thermal imaging systems will also be utilised and will enable the monitoring of passenger load factors offering accurate data to service partners should there be an emergency.

Northern will also make its onboard CCTV systems available for British Transport Police and will provide officers with the ability to tune in to live, high-definition footage onboard its trains. The rail operator also recently introduced digital upgrades for its Class 333 fleet which includes high-definition CCTV cameras.

Northern has outlined the benefits of the new technology in the following scenarios:

• Trains will be able to detect ‘bumps on the line' as they travel over them and will automatically send GPS co-ordinates to maintenance teams responsible for repairs
• Externally mounted cameras will be able to scan the roof of tunnels for loose bricks so they can be flagged to infrastructure safety teams before they become dangerous
• Sensors will be able to spot energy-saving opportunities, including station lighting being left on in the daytime, as trains travel through platforms
• Security incidents and threats to public safety can be monitored in real-time by British Transport Police officers.

The new technology will see its initial roll-out later this month with more to come through the rest of the year.

Nick Donovan, managing director of Northern, said:

“This is the beginning of what we're calling ‘Intelligent Trains'. With these modifications, our fleet won't just travel the network, they will actively monitor and report back on issues that could have an impact on our operation.

“The result will be greater efficiencies in terms of resource allocation, faster responses in terms of maintenance programmes and an overall smarter – and safer – way of working.

“We are sharing details of this new software with other train operators so that passengers the length and breadth of the country can benefit from the approach we have pioneered in the North of England.”

As the second largest rail operator in the country, Northern runs almost 2,000 services each day to over 500 stations through the North of England.