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Railway workers have raised alarms for years. In 2020, level crossing incidents totaled 204, injuring 95 people. The following year, even with higher penalties in place, incidents rose: 219 collisions resulting in 133 injuries. The pattern underscores a persistent safety challenge at crossings and the need for stronger protective measures and smarter monitoring.
Traditional traffic signals sometimes fail to prevent risky moves. Fatigue, adverse weather, or moments of misjudgment can cause drivers to miss the prohibition signals. A few attempt a risky last-second passage, hoping to squeeze through before a signal switches. This behavior highlights the limits of conventional systems and the demand for more reliable safeguards.
What is smart moving?
Smart moving refers to an intelligent safety complex built around a network of photo and video recordings that operate in a combined mode. The system, branded as a smart crossing, continuously monitors railway crossings regardless of time or weather conditions.
Nighttime performance is supported by infrared cameras and microwave radar, ensuring continuous surveillance. When the computer detects any stationary object on the tracks, it analyzes the object type and issues an alarm to the driver and dispatcher. In many cases this early warning enables vehicles to stop safely, potentially preventing a tragedy.
The smart crossing solution is developed for railway use by the Volga factory Meteor and the Ruselectronics Rostec group, designed to integrate with existing rail infrastructure.
Experts emphasize compatibility with current equipment. The system can be integrated with automation already used on railway lines. Deployment is feasible on major transit routes as well as on internal railway facilities and industrial sites. It can replace or augment existing pedestrian crossings with barriers, or work alongside crossings that do not have barriers. The software and hardware complex is adaptable to various configurations and can be installed in place of or alongside existing crossing controls.
Is the driver warned?
The present version of Smart Crossing presents a bright prohibition symbol projected onto the roadway to alert drivers of an approaching train. In the near term, developers aim to enable the system to provide advance warnings about danger situations. Transport information about blocked crossings could be routed to navigation systems, allowing drivers to adjust routes before delays occur.
Some configurations of Smart Moving may include additional mechanical protections that help keep vehicles within the roadway, functioning as a modern analog to traditional barriers.
Early field trials of the system were anticipated for rollout across Russian Railways infrastructure facilities in 2023, with ongoing evaluation to refine performance and safety outcomes.