Transport for Wales has worked with technology company One Big Circle Ltd to fit trains with ‘smart’ cameras designed to automatically record, analyse and report lineside vegetation risks.

The Automated Intelligent Video Review system is a lightweight train-borne device that sits inside the cab windscreen and automatically captures video data and other telemetry.

It is designed to measure changes in the infrastructure each time a train runs the route, so that natural changes in vegetation can be tracked through an early warning heat map which is used to allocate resources so that leaf fall, signal sighting and intrusive growth can be managed proactively and without the need for people to go on to the track.

Data is transmitted via 4G and can be reviewed instantly and shared with working groups at TfW and Network Rail.

‘We first saw this technology in September and were so impressed that we commissioned a trial to cover all routes’, said Transport for Wales Safety & Assurance Director Leyton Powell. ‘We are the first train operator in the UK to deploy the AIVR system on our routes and we’re delighted to be at forefront of using this innovative technology. With management of the Core Valley Lines infrastructure shortly coming under TfW, we really think this could make a huge difference to the way we respond to create massive customer, safety and performance benefits.’

Emily Kent, director of Bristol-based One Big Circle, said TfW ‘quickly saw the benefits that AIVR could bring to their network operations, and their collaborative, open approach means we have rapidly moved from trial stage to formally having AIVR onboard. This clearly demonstrates TfW’s ambitions to harness innovative technologies.’