Metrolink awarded 1.3 million to develop AI-powered system to detect hazards on tracks

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Southern California's commuter rail system 1.3 million to develop an artificial intelligence-powered security system to detect unexpected movement on Metrolink tracks. The technology would aim to automatically slow down or stop a train when cameras and sensors verified the presence of a person, vehicle or debris, Metrolink said about the proposed "track intrusion detection" system. The technology would integrate with existing GPS that notifies train crew about a possible track danger, such as a homeless encampment or a pedestrian. "If it succeeds, this project will not only improve the safety of our passengers and crew, it will directly benefit pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and everyone else who interacts with our system," Los Angeles City Council President and Metrolink Board member Paul Krekorian said in a statement. The current system, which is also linked to the U.S. earthquake-warning system, relies heavily on what people see and report in real time.