Network rail use VR to improve safety

Network Rail is leveraging technology to enhance railway safety education among young people, aiming to reduce incidents on its East Coast Route. In collaboration with the British Transport Police, Network Rail’s Community Safety Team has conducted interactive sessions at a Doncaster school using virtual reality (VR) to highlight the dangers of trespassing on the railway. This initiative comes in response to over 1,900 incidents recorded on the route last year, including trespass, level crossing misuse, and railway crime. Notably, nearly 400 of these incidents (20.5%) involved individuals under the age of 21.

The VR headsets provide students with immersive experiences, presenting two different scenarios that depict the severe consequences of railway trespassing. One scenario shows a teenager being struck by a train after becoming distracted, also illustrating the event from the perspective of the train driver. These first-person views aim to make the dangers more tangible and impactful for young audiences, emphasizing the real-life risks and potential outcomes of unsafe behavior around railways.

Robert Merry, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail’s East Coast Route, emphasized the significance of these interactive sessions in teaching young people about railway safety. He highlighted that the use of VR is an innovative approach to convey the real-life dangers of trespassing. Celebrating the milestone of the 1,000th young person using the VR headsets, Merry expressed enthusiasm for expanding this educational tool to reach even more children and young people, reinforcing Network Rail's commitment to enhancing safety awareness.

In addition to the VR sessions, the British Transport Police contributed to the educational efforts by demonstrating some of the tools they use to prevent trespassing. This includes a drone capable of monitoring tracks for trespassers around the clock. Through these combined efforts, more than 1,000 young people across the East Coast Route have already benefitted from this comprehensive safety education, marking a significant step towards reducing railway-related incidents involving young people.