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Securing the rail network

Railways, like road highways, have extensive networks in many countries covering thousands of kilometres and numerous stations.

Rail networks, and their stations and marshalling yards, have special safety, security and communication requirements, especially in view of their vulnerability to vandalism, theft, drug-dealing and terrorism. Added to this is the increase in passenger and freight traffic, as well as high-speed technology that enables trains to travel faster than ever before.

Stations, whether above or below ground – particularly those in large cities through which thousands of peak-hour travellers pass – need extensive surveillance, fire-detection systems and other safety measures. Bosch, with its partners, is one of the few manufacturers in the world that can deliver all the safety, security and communication components and systems needed for railway networks, stations and associated infrastructures.

Station digital CCTV

CCTV has proven to be the most effective method of surveillance, employing digital technology to acquire and display images of exceptionally high quality. Areas where cameras are located inside a railway station include entrances and exits, ticket machines, barrier gates, help points, stairways and escalators, and platforms.

Places outside the building can be car parks, bus and taxi arrival and departure points, platform approaches, freight-train marshalling yards, and remote road crossings.

On-board train CCTV

Monitors can be installed on-board trains, such as in the driver’s cabin, which may have a wireless link to one or more cameras located on the platform and trained on the carriage doors. Cameras may also be on-board, again for safety and to observe and prevent crime, with either a monitor located at the conductor’s post, and/or with a wireless link to an external monitor.

Station fire detection and alarm facilities

Stations also require effective and efficient fire detection and alarm facilities, as well as access control and intrusion systems. More-over, there is an increasing trend to integrate one or more of such systems with conventional or IP-based CCTV surveillance, to provide total, centralised security and control ideally suited to railway stations and their surroundings.

Station PA and emergency evacuation systems

Integration is also extended to public address (PA) and emergency evacuation systems, like the evacuation compliant Bosch Praesideo public address and evacuation system, or the Bosch Plena public address and voice alarm system.

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