De Lijn collaborates with OTIV and CAF for safer trams
De Lijn, operated by the Flemish government in Belgium, provides public transportation with approximately 99 trams. The company has announced a collaboration with Spanish rolling-stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) and the Belgian start-up OTIV. The aim is to leverage AI to increase the safety of trams in Flanders.
De Lijn emphasises safety in traffic as a paramount concern and is actively investing in various initiatives to enhance tram safety. These efforts encompass vehicle construction, signalization at tram crossings, seasonal awareness campaigns at the coast, and driver training. In collaboration with OTIV and CAF, De Lijn is taking a significant stride forward by testing innovative and intelligent assistance systems aimed at further enhancing tram safety.
The collaboration with OTIV provides De Lijn with the opportunity to explore new technologies aimed at enhancing tram safety and efficiency. CAF, the manufacturer of the Zeeliner, is involved in the project due to its extensive experience in integrating diverse systems.
This collaborative effort will allow De Lijn, OTIV, and CAF to gain deeper insights into the efficacy of these systems in accident prevention.
Tests on the Coastal Tram Line
Sensors have been strategically installed on the Coastal Tram, which boasts the title of the world’s longest tram line, to capture the surrounding environment. The Coastal Tram serves as an ideal testing ground due to its traversing of diverse traffic scenarios, including urban centres and bustling coastal areas.
Initiated in the summer of 2023 and slated to continue beyond the upcoming summer, the project is currently evaluating various scenarios to assess sensor responsiveness and the software’s capacity to enhance driver reaction time.
During this testing phase, the sensors gather data without providing direct feedback to tram operators.
Collecting valuable insight
“The technology being trialled integrates sensors with advanced data analysis and artificial intelligence to comprehensively survey the vehicle’s surroundings. It offers real-time monitoring and analysis of pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicular behaviour, thereby enabling the prediction of potential hazards and assisting tram operators in making informed decisions. We are deeply invested in this technology alongside De Lijn, as safety remains our paramount concern,” stated the Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works.
Philippe Le Cerf, CIO of De Lijn, commented, “At De Lijn, we remain vigilant for advancements in the tram sector, with safety being our utmost priority. Our partnership with OTIV presents an excellent avenue for leveraging AI technologies and expanding our expertise to bolster safety measures. These insights will prove invaluable in future endeavours, including the implementation of collision warning systems to support our tram operators.”
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