The Flemish public transport company De Lijn is testing an AI-supported safety system on tram route 1 in Antwerp. It is hoped that the new safety system will help reduce accidents involving trams by up to 20%. A so-called 'intelligent camera' constantly scans the immediate vicinity of the tram, focusing particularly on the front of the vehicle. If there is any imminent danger, the tram driver receives a warning signal and they can act accordingly. De Lijn says that it is also examining whether the system increases or decreases drivers’ stress levels.
During the summer the system was tested in trams without passengers. However, since the start of this month it has been used on 13 Antwerp trams that carry passengers on route 1.
De Lijn’s Marco Demerling told VRT News that the aim is to collect as much data as possible regarding the new AI supported safety system. “We will soon be testing it on various routes on trams with passengers both during the day and at night in order gather a lot of data about the system. We will then analyse the information with have gathered. We expect preliminary results by the end of the year”.
System, vehicle, drivers
Mr Demerling went on to say that “We are not only investigating whether the system functions flawlessly, but also the effect it has on drivers. We do this using blood pressure and heart rate monitors. Is it good or comfortable for them? Does it increase or decrease their stress levels?”
It is hoped that the AI safety system will reduce the number of accidents on the Flemish tram networks by up to 20%.
De Lijn has received EU funding for the project that has come about thanks to cooperation between the Ghent (East Flanders) hi-tech company OTIV and several European universities, including the University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen).