TfL aims to use more AI to improve platform safety

Transport for London (TfL) has said it is "prioritising work" on new artificial intelligence (AI) technology designed to keep passengers safe on station platforms.

The experimental technology is already being trialled on the DLR platforms at Custom House station in east London after similar systems were tested at Willesden Green Underground station.

At Custom House, security camera footage is reviewed by an AI program to rapidly identify and detect objects on the rails while ignoring train movements.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has said this technology will improve customers' safety between the gap from the train and platform edge.

It comes a day after the rail safety investigator revealed a man who died on the London Underground was run over by four Jubilee line trains.

TfL is now exploring other potential locations across the TfL network for similar trials, which it hopes to have in place during the second half of this year.

At Willesden Green, a wide-ranging AI trial was used in 2022 and 2023 to detect not only potential fare dodging, but also whether weapons were being brought into the station, and whether people were standing too close to the edge of the platform.

On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer announced an AI Opportunities Action Plan, which hopes to boost growth and deliver services more efficiently across the UK.

TfL's new AI scheme is not part of Sir Keir's plan.

The network is now exploring other potential locations across TfL for similar trials which it hopes to have in place during the second half of this year.

Sir Sadiq said: "Safety is always TfL's priority," and "each injury is one too many".

"TfL's plan to address platform-train incidents sets out specific and targeted actions to keep customers safe, quickly alert staff when incidents do happen, and respond promptly to minimise their impact," he added.

Sir Sadiq said TfL "continues to monitor safety performance regularly, reviewing incidents and trends across the Tube network".

In November, the blind Labour lord, Lord Blunkett, called for an urgent review into what he described as "death trap" Tube platforms, after he was injured falling into a gap as he boarded a District Line train at Westminster station.

In response, Sir Sadiq said "TfL and I are very sorry that Lord Blunkett was injured while travelling on the Tube," and are sharing their plans to improve safety.

He added: "I know that while millions of people travel safely on the Tube every day, and while the Tube's platform-train safety record compares favourably to the national rail network, each injury is one too many.

"TfL's plan to address platform-train incidents sets out specific and targeted actions to keep customers safe, quickly alert staff when incidents do happen, and respond promptly to minimise their impact.

"As part of this plan, TfL will trial new technology in 2025, including artificial intelligence systems, which will improve customers safety at the interface between the train and the platform edge. TfL is prioritising this work over the coming year."

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