Metro Trains Melbourne introduces thermal imaging cameras to tackle trespassing

Metro Trains Melbourne (Metro), the operator of Melbourne’s train network, is now using world-class thermal imaging cameras to crack down on illegal trespassing on rail tracks and keep Victorian passengers and train staff safe.

Metro has released footage from a new intruder detection system in place at key locations on the Melbourne rail network, including in the City Loop, to quickly identify and track down people who are risking their lives and disrupting commuters by illegally entering railway tracks.

The system uses a combination of optical distance sensors, thermal imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect trespassers, at which point an alarm alerts Metro’s network control centre so that security teams and Victoria Police can track their location and swiftly respond.

Trespassing is incredibly dangerous and disruptive. People walking on or beside the rail line can be seriously injured or killed, and are incredibly disruptive to trains, leading to unnecessary disruption to passengers across the network and impacting the mental health of drivers and frontline staff who witness incidents.

Metro‘s General Manager – Security Operations, Adrian Rowland, said: “Trespassing has a major impact on our ability to deliver the reliable services our passengers deserve. One person on the tracks can impact 50,000 people behind them – it’s almost a domino effect. We get a lot of nuisance trespassers, and as soon as somebody goes to a place that’s unsafe, we have to stop the trains.”

In the last financial year, an average of 328 potentially deadly trespasser incidents occured each month.

The introduction of thermal imaging cameras adds to Metro’s broader efforts to deter trespassing – with a network of more than 9,000 CCTV cameras at stations and on trains, and a dedicated Network Security and Surveillance team routinely patrolling hotspots and carrying out joint operations with Victoria Police.

Metro has also rolled out anti-trespasser ground panels at known trespassing hotspots – including Keilor Plains, Yarraville, Prahran, Narre Warren and Berwick.

Anyone caught illegally trespassing on the Metro network faces a fine of up to $330.