Sorhea Infrared Barriers Boost Belgian Rail Safety

Infrabel, the Belgian rail infrastructure management company, has contracted Sorhea to install its Maxiris infrared barriers and implement their train-filtering function on the line at Esneux, near Liège, and at the North-Midi junction in Brussels – one of the country’s busiest railway sites.

The project is so innovative that it has caught the eye of Belgian TV channel RTL, the Mayor of Esneux and the Vice-President of the Walloon Government and Minister for Employment. RTL Belgium interviewed Infrabel CEO Benoît Gilson, Mayor of Esneux Laura Iker and Christie Morreale, Vice-President of the Walloon Government and Minister for Employment about the implemented solution to raise awareness among young people of the dangers of crossing railway tracks.

Combatting Trespassing in Train Tunnels

Benjamin Tate, Sorhea’s Head of International Sales, said: “We are incredibly proud to contribute to rail safety and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Belgium by helping combat track trespassing in certain rail tunnels. We have installed our Maxiris active infrared barriers to detect anyone trespassing on and around the tracks near the tunnels.”

The barriers are state-of-the-art devices designed to prevent trespassing on railway sites. They prevent blockages and other delays caused by rail trespassers thanks to:

• Precise filtering of intruder size and speed. When a person cuts the beams, an audible alarm is triggered, alerting the control room. From the video management systems (VMS), an agent can then decide remotely to intervene to apprehend the intruder.
• A filtering functionality that distinguishes intruders from trains, ensuring an appropriate response to each situation.

Tate added: “Our CSR approach is an integral part of our innovation strategy, and rests on three pillars: the protection of individuals, the reduction of environmental impact and the development of sustainable solutions.”

Preventing Intrusions and Potentially Fatal Accidents

Firstly, by preventing intrusions and incidents on rail tracks, Sorhea’s solutions contribute directly to the safety of railway workers and users alike. Early detection of intrusions can prevent potentially fatal accidents, as witnessed by the tragic toll of 649 intrusions and 6 deaths on the Belgian rail network last year.

Secondly, Sorhea’s detection solutions help reduce delays and interruptions to rail traffic, thus minimizing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions linked to frequent train restarts and stops. By guaranteeing a smooth flow of traffic, this solution not only avoids disruptions that would have a direct impact on passengers, but also contributes indirectly to reducing the rail industry’s carbon footprint.

And finally, Sorhea is committed to innovation in developing responsible, adaptable and sustainable safety solutions. Their Smart Bridge software integrates Sorhea’s detection systems with VMS, optimizing the management of safety data and making interventions more efficient and less energy-consuming. Tate concluded: “The implementation of our Maxiris solution by Infrabel demonstrates not only Sorhea’s expertise in rail safety but also our commitment to a committed CSR approach. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and aiming to protect people and the environment, we are helping to build a safer, more sustainable future for all.