South Korea is set to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) video analysis system aimed at preventing railway accidents caused by human error. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea is set to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) video analysis system aimed at preventing railway accidents caused by human error, such as train operator mistakes.
The Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KTSA) recently commissioned a research project titled Development of AI-assisted Train Operation Support Technology.
This initiative seeks to create driving assistance technology that utilizes AI video analysis to prevent accidents and disruptions stemming from human factors, including operator confusion, inattention, or drowsiness.
According to KTSA data, out of 124 railway accidents involving collisions and derailments over the past five years (2019-2023), 12 were attributed to human error, including mistakes made by train operators.
The proposed system would integrate AI video analysis technology, including object recognition, with existing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the front of trains. This setup would provide real-time alerts to train operators about potential hazards or unusual situations.
The proposed system would integrate AI video analysis technology, including object recognition, with existing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the front of trains. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The AI-powered system would alert operators through audio and visual cues if it detects people, vehicles, or other trains on the tracks that the operator might have missed. It would also immediately notify operators of signal violations or if the train enters the wrong track.
While Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) currently employs AI video analysis for track intrusion detection, it has not yet applied this technology to assist train operators directly.
KTSA officials noted that internationally, Rail Vision, a NASDAQ-listed company headquartered in Israel, already provides AI video analysis-based train operation solutions in over 10 countries.
The agency anticipates that domestically developed AI video analysis solutions could be implemented in actual operations after undergoing a practical testing phase of more than a year.
A KTSA representative stated, “AI video analysis technology is versatile and can be applied to urban railways, high-speed and conventional railways, and light rail systems. We expect it to become a crucial technology for railway safety in the future, and hope this research project will lead to practical implementation.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
