TfL Plans Use of AI to Identify Risks on Platforms
Technology could identify people at risk of jumping or falling onto tracks
AI systems have been trialled at Willesden Green station. Picture: Oxyman
January 14, 2025
Transport for London (TfL) is “prioritising work” on new artificial intelligence (AI) technology aimed at keeping passengers safe on station platforms.
The technology is already being trialled on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) platforms at Custom House station, and comes after similar systems were recently tested at Willesden Green Underground station.
At Custom House, the experimental technology uses security camera footage which is analysed by a “visual recognition system that rapidly detects and identifies objects on the rails while ignoring the movement of trains”, according to the DLR’s operator, Keolis Amey Docklands.
The detected objects could include people jumping onto the tracks either on purpose or by accident. The system alerts control centre staff if they may need to intervene.
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.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, on Monday unveiled an AI Opportunities Action Plan, vowing to make Britain “one of the great AI superpowers”.
But the news that further AI trials are planned on TfL’s network did not emerge as part of that announcement, and in fact came after London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was asked – in a written question shortly before Christmas – about an accident suffered by former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett.
The Labour lord, who is blind, in November 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.
Asked about the incident by Reform UK’s London Assembly member, Alex Wilson, Sir Sadiq has said: “TfL and I are very sorry that Lord Blunkett was injured while travelling on the Tube. TfL has written to and subsequently met with Lord Blunkett to hear what happened in more detail and to share its plans to improve safety.
“These discussions will support TfL’s work to further improve safety on the Tube. Safety is always TfL’s priority, and it continues to monitor safety performance regularly, reviewing incidents and trends across the Tube network.
“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.”
Noah Vickers - Local Democracy Reporter
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