Purple Transform, an artificial intelligence company, has received funding from Innovate UK to enhance safety on the UK’s rail network. The project, named ‘Levelling Up Crossings,’ will create and test AI models that will monitor level crossings and decrease the number of safety incidents. Purple Transform’s innovative platform, SiYtE, will scan CCTV footage in real-time, alerting employees if the AI model detects any dangerous or unexpected behaviors. Nearly 6,000 level crossings in the UK pose a serious threat to individual safety, and between April 2022 and March 2023, there were five fatalities at mainline level crossings. By detecting potential incidents before they develop, Purple Transform’s technology can reduce the number of safety incidents and save train operators significant financial penalties.
With its advanced AI model, Purple Transform can detect objects or debris blocking crossings, people loitering or trespassing, or even children playing on or close to the tracks. Once a possible safety concern is identified, SiYtE-powered technology can issue automated alerts to designated personnel, such as railway employees, the emergency services, train drivers, or guards, who can investigate or deescalate the situation quickly.
Purple Transform’s CEO, Gregory Butler, said that “not only do [level crossings] represent a serious risk to the public, they are often the root cause of costly and frustrating service delays… Our ‘Levelling Up Crossings’ project will help identify safety incidents before they develop, empowering relevant personnel to rectify the situation, keeping the railway moving and people out of harm’s way.”
Overall, this project is a groundbreaking solution that boosts safety, productivity, and public services in the transportation sector in the UK. Innovate UK’s support has helped enable Purple Transform to leverage its advanced AI platform to deliver a cost-effective approach to enhancing safety on the rail network.
