RailEyes: Bridging the Gap Between Railway Legacy, Today, and the Autonomous Future
The latest product line of DriveAI Ltd, RailEyes suite of solutions is the pinnacle of the railways business line.
Resembling a dash camera for a train, RailEyes leverages cutting-edge AI techniques and cloud technology in order to enhance infrastructure inspection and maintenance activities not only to elevate the landscape of infrastructure inspection and maintenance but also to champion sustainability by reducing herbicide usage, minimizing tree cutting, and shrinking carbon footprints all at a remarkably competitive price point.
The Vegetation Challenge in Railway Maintenance
Vegetation management in railways is more than just aesthetics—it's a significant operational concern. In the UK, the mere impact of falling leaves costs the industry a staggering £300 million annually. Beyond leaves, mismanaged vegetation, such as fallen trees and branches, has led to almost 19,000 incidents in 2018 alone. Such disruptions aren't just costly; they pose safety risks, with trains coming into contact with obstructions over 400 times that year.
Traditional solutions, like wide-scale clearing, are no longer viable due to environmental concerns. Instead, the industry is moving towards precise, case-by-case management, where experts determine the right time for trimming or clearing. This shift not only ensures operational efficiency but also protects our environment. However, this transition comes with its challenges, such as the anticipated additional cost of €110 million p.a. for SNCF's shift to eco-friendly herbicides.
In essence, while vegetation presents a multifaceted challenge for the railway industry, with the right strategies and eco-conscious solutions, we can ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable rail operations without skyrocketing OPEX and CAPEX at the expense of reducing budget allocations from other areas that are essential for the infrastructure managers and rolling stock operators.
Herbicides: A Necessary Evil?
Herbicide use on railways isn't just about vegetation control—it's an environmental and health concern.
While these chemicals target on-track and track-side vegetation, they also harm the ecosystem surrounding the permanent way, contaminate water sources and at times cause long-lasting health issues for the maintenance personnel, nearby communities and unaware bypassers.
Overreliance on herbicides such as glyphosate also lead to resistant vegetation necessitating stronger or different chemicals, hence escalating costs. Moreover, as public awareness grows, railways face both reputational risks and tighter regulations. The industry is now grappling with a shift towards more sustainable vegetation management solutions, balancing operational needs with ecological responsibility. The challenge is clear: ensuring efficient rail operations while minimizing environmental and health impacts.
Going back to the latest news from SNCF of France, rolling out an alternative following the ban of Glyphosate costed roughly EUR 110M, bringing up the total cost of vegetation management to around EUR 260M p.a. An estimate from the company suggests that not using any herbicide, would have brought the cost to a level up to EUR 500M. This would not have been only more costly economically, but also higher reliance on field personnel hence causing an increase in carbon footprint and potential incidents and accidents due to lengthier presence of maintenance teams on and around the tracks.
GDPR Friendly
Innovation is our core, as well as compliance and privacy. We provide granular access for cybersecurity and all the footages are anonymized on-demand or in real-time for privacy.
Integrated Dashboard
Monitor, review, and analyze in one place. Our user-friendly and customizable dashboard offers real-time tracking, data analytics, and maintenance suggestions.
Cloud Application
Experience seamless connectivity and top-tier services with our secure cloud backbone. Faster integration, higher compatibility, and regional compliance made easy.
Eco-Friendly Care
RailEyes isn't just efficient; it's eco-conscious. Our system reduces the environmental impact of vegetation maintenance, making railways safer and more sustainable.
Product Lifecycle
We're in continuous development, ensuring our technology remains cutting-edge, addressing the dynamic needs of the railway industry. From our smart camera to the cloud, new features roll out on a continuous basis.
How It Works?
Optics vs LIDAR
Understanding track metrics assist in precise understanding of points of interest.
Edge-AI in Real Time
RailEyes' proprietary cutting edge semantic segmentation allow automated understanding of thousands of track kilometers.
