Rapidly evolving artificial intelligence technology from the autonomous car industry offers the opportunity for the rail industry to improve the safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of on-board driver advisory systems, next-generation train control systems, and rail systems. The presentation will describe our progress in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to rail operations in Australia and overseas. The specific topics of hazard and infrastructure detection, and authority limits monitoring and braking, will be discussed. I will summarise with some observations on where AI is compelling today.
For safe and efficient operations, a rail vehicle needs to know exactly where it is, recognise the hazards around it, and continuously monitor its authorised route for both normal and abnormal operations. AI can undertake this role by integrating multiple 24/7 sensor data in real-time to allow a comparison with the previous record of any given track section. It does this by using neural network processing in an on-board processor to interpret real-time imagery and other sensor data. Software processes undertake the computationally intensive statistical algorithms for localisation, object detection, awareness, dynamics and route monitoring, and ultimately alarming.
Derel Wust, BE (Hons), MIE Aust., CPEng, APEC Engineer, IntPE (Aus)
Derel is a professional electronics engineer. Derel graduated in 1975 with the Degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours. He proceeded to join the Royal Australian Air Force as an electronics engineer rising to the rank of Wing Commander. After 20 years of service, Derel left to join the private sector, which saw senior appointments in Telstra, Optus and NSW rail.
Derel then decided to start his own business 4Tel Proprietary Limited in January 2002 specialising in railway technology. 4Tel is based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, where the company has a number of regional train control and network management contacts. In recent years Derel has created two 4Tel subsidiaries to apply artificial intelligence technology to transport operations; 4AI SYSTEMS PTY LTD in Australia and 4AI SYSTEMS INC. in the USA. Derel will be specifically talking on 4AI Systems’ developments.