According to insiders, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is working on a machine learning-based system that would be able to read drivers’ blinking eyelids and inform them or halt the train if they were feeling tired.
In the event that a driver becomes distracted for a short while, the gadget, known as the Railway Driver Assistance System (RDAS), will not only sound an alert but also deploy emergency brakes. According to the sources, RDAS will connect with a vigilance control system to activate emergency brakes.
“Trials are ongoing to ensure the device’s correct operation while it is still in the development stage. The NFR technical team is tackling it. We anticipate having it ready in a few more weeks,” a railway source said.
The Railway Board requested that the NFR quicken internal RDAS development in a letter to that organisation on August 2. Additionally, it stated that as a pilot project, the gadget would be installed in 20 passenger train engines (WAP7) and goods train engines (WAG9) after it is finished.
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After using the system, all zones have been invited to offer input on how well it functions so that, as necessary, it can be improved still more.
The device, according to the Indian Railway Loco Running Men Organisation (IRLRO), is a “futile exercise” because all fast-moving trains already have systems in place to keep the drivers focused.
A foot-operated lever (pedal) is provided on every high-speed train engine, and the driver must depress it once every 60 seconds. If the driver doesn’t, the emergency brakes are immediately activated, stopping the train. According to IRLRO working president Sanjay Pandhi, the current technology is sufficient to guarantee that the driver is awake.
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“I think RDAS is a pointless endeavour. If the railroads are sincere about the safety of train operations, they should, among other things, conduct research on issues like train driver tiredness, operating hours, amenities, and rest periods.Drivers, including women, frequently work longer shifts than 11 hours without any breaks for eating or using the loo.
If these things are well taken care of, there is no need to have any RADS in engines,” Pandhi said.
