Rail systems are undergoing a transformation. The way trains are operated and monitored and how safely they interact with their surroundings have changed due to innovations in automation and sensing. At Beamagine, the change is being driven forward with the new 3D imaging and sensor fusion technologies bridging the gap between traditional railway infrastructure and future-ready intelligence.
- The Advantages of LiDAR Over Traditional Techniques
Railways are always equipped with an array of cameras and radars for safety purposes. However, these technologies do have some shortcomings. Limited visibility, harsh weather, and an absence of depth data can reduce their reliability. The rail industry is now poised to benefit from enhanced precision brought by LiDAR Autonomous Vehicles.
Unlike passive systems, LiDAR actively scans its surroundings using laser pulses, generating 3D point cloud data with precision, whether it is dark or dense fog. This ensures more reliable detection of:
- Vegetation or debris along the track.
- Unexpected pedestrians or vehicles at crossings.
- Changes in infrastructure alignment or position.
These benefits are also extended to LiDAR Autonomous Vehicles, allowing railways to improve both autonomous and manned train systems to fully exploit this depth perception technology.
