Greater Anglia is dealing with issues such as trees and branches blocking a line or concealing signals as well as falling leaves compressing on tracks creating a mulch with a surface similar to black ice and these issues create delays for passengers.

Using a bespoke approach which supports the rail operators impressive punctuality records, especially during autumn 2021, sees video footage recorded from the train cab of journeys in a bid to discover areas which may become overgrown. The recordings take place on major routes between London and Norwich alongside the entire West Anglia Mainline which runs from London via Cambridge.

Railway technology company CrossTech use their Hubble AI technology in order to analyse the rail operator’s recordings, bringing to light troublesome vegetation locations. The technology creates maps that detail where issues have been located and are then utilised by Network Rail engineers who act in advance, dealing with potential issues before they arise, and prioritising problem areas dependent on severity.

The innovative project sees a collaboration between Network Rail, CrossTech and Petards.

Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s engineering director, said: “The footage from our trains and our collaboration with Network Rail and CrossTech is key in giving an early alert to our colleagues at Network Rail so that any problematic areas where trees or other lineside vegetation are about to obscure anything are quickly picked up.

“We are delighted to be able to support Network Rail in adopting this novel technology because it means fewer delays for our trains and the busy routes we run on our network.”

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Managing vegetation is hugely important to us. If not managed well, trees and fallen leaves can pose a risk to the safe running of the railway and cause delays to trains.

“This new technology helps our teams quickly pinpoint exactly where lineside vegetation is likely to be an issue, so it can be cut back before it causes delays to passenger services.”

Haydon Bartlett-Tasker, CrossTech’s Managing Director, said: “Hubble was co-created with Network Rail’s delivery units and it is an excellent example of how modern AI technologies and innovation with end-users can increase productivity and help front-line teams manage the infrastructure for the benefit of passengers and freight users.”

Grant Harley, General Manager at Petards Rail, said: “Through collaboration between Petards, CrossTech, Greater Anglia and Network Rail, and this is a great example of how to expand the purpose of Petards’ forward-facing CCTV ‘EyeTrain’ cameras already installed on the fleet. It will help Greater Anglia and Network Rail increase operating efficiency for passengers and freight users and increase safety for track workers.”