Railway Perception Systems for Operational Outcomes
MULTI-SENSOR PERCEPTION SYSTEMS
Smarter, integrated railway intelligence
365mesh delivers AI-powered, multi-sensor perception systems that enhance rail network operations and improve operational outcomes for operators worldwide.
Perception System Capabilities
Modern approaches to location and route assurance
Rail networks are moving towards communications-based train control systems, reducing dependence on traditional infrastructure. Advanced onboard sensing and data processing support this transition by enabling accurate, real-time location and route assurance.
By combining data from multiple onboard sensors and analysing it against a known network reference, the system determines precise train location and operating track in real time.
This fully onboard approach improves resilience, performs reliably across all environments, and provides a scalable, future-ready solution for modern rail networks.
Benefits
Onboard-only location assurance:
Removes reliance on external trackside systems by delivering accurate positioning directly from onboard data.
Integrated multi-sensor system:
Provides multiple layers of redundancy and resilience, with the flexibility to incorporate external data sources where required.
Train Control System (TCS) agnostic:
Can integrate with existing and modern train control systems or operate as an independent overlay across multiple networks.
Remote updates and upgrades:
Once deployed, the system can be updated over-the-air, enabling continuous improvements without requiring on-site intervention.
Integrates with internal systems:
Designed using open standards to integrate seamlessly with existing onboard and operational systems.
Essential technology basis:
Supports the transition towards higher Grades of Automation (GoA), enabling more advanced and autonomous rail operations.
Object and Hazard Detection
Advanced onboard technologies enhance visibility beyond human capability, with 365mesh delivering vision and multi-sensor perception that combines calibrated colour and thermal cameras with additional sensors to detect and classify objects, infrastructure, and potential hazards across the rail corridor.
By processing data onboard, the system:
- Provides consistent detection across varying environmental conditions
- Improves situational awareness for the train operator
- Supports timely and informed responses to emerging hazards
- Operates on a flexible, hardware-agnostic architecture using commercial off-the-shelf components
- Can be configured, upgraded, and scaled to meet evolving operational requirements without compromising performance
Benefits
Detection of objects and hazards:
Detects and classifies objects in conditions beyond human visibility, enabling earlier alerts and intervention.
Adaptable sensor configuration:
Sensors can be adapted, replaced, or upgraded to meet changing operational needs and emerging technologies.
Precise location reporting:
Configurable to align with available technologies and operational requirements for precise positioning.
Real-time onboard analytics:
With 365mesh’s cloud processor, all detection and classification is processed onboard using rail-rated computing, reducing reliance on external connectivity.
Real-time infrastructure detection:
Identifies trackside assets such as signals, switches, and adjacent tracks, including distance calculations to detected objects.
Train Control System (TCS) agnostic:
Integrates with existing and modern train control systems or operates as an independent overlay across multiple networks.
Authority Monitoring (Speed Limits)
Monitor and support adherence to movement authority and speed limits across the rail network by enhancing operator awareness through onboard technologies that identify signal aspects, speed limits, and track conditions.
This provides an additional layer of assurance in environments where visibility, workload, and operating conditions can impact the timely interpretation of signals and infrastructure, supporting safe and consistent operation.
Advancing Authority Monitoring
Rail networks are adopting intelligent onboard systems to strengthen compliance and improve operational consistency.
365mesh delivers advanced vision and multi-sensor perception, combining data from multiple onboard sensors to:
- Identify signals, switches, and other trackside elements
- Present clear, actionable information to the train operator
- Support informed and timely decision-making
- Enable automated intervention where required, including braking responses aligned to defined operating parameters
Built as a flexible onboard solution, it integrates existing train control environments while maintaining consistent performance across networks.
Benefits
Advanced Driver Advisory System (ADAS):
Identifies signal aspects, speed limits, and track objects to support operators in maintaining movement authority.
Flexible operator interface:
Configurable human machine interface providing clear visibility of upcoming signals, limits, and operational conditions.
SIL-certified braking relay (optional):
Supports automatic braking intervention where required, aligned to network and safety requirements.
Authority enforcement onboard:
Enables enforcement of movement authority by aligning detection with route and operational data.
Fully onboard system:
Processes data onboard with minimal reliance on external communications.
Performance Monitoring (Asset Maintenance Monitoring)
Continuous collection of structured operational data creates a detailed record of each journey that can be assessed against defined tolerances and business rules to identify inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities for optimisation.
By monitoring key parameters such as train location, speed, time, and operational inputs, the system captures data that is often fragmented or unavailable, supporting more informed decision-making and improved operational consistency.
Data-driven Performance Insights
By combining sensor data with configurable business rules, the platform enables both immediate operator feedback and detailed post-analysis, allowing events such as speed exceedances or deviations from operating conditions to be identified and addressed in line with network requirements.
Designed for real-world rail environments, the system performs reliably in conditions such as low light, glare, dust, smoke, and adverse weather, with all data securely logged, replayed, and analysed, and the ability to integrate with onboard systems and function as an event recorder for investigation, reporting, and compliance.
Benefits
Advanced Driver Advisory System (ADAS):
Identifies signal aspects, speed, and track conditions to support monitoring of locomotive and operational performance.
Flexible operator interface:
Configurable human machine interface providing clear visibility of signals, speed profiles, and braking curves aligned to operational requirements.
Real-time onboard data processing:
Processes data onboard using rail-rated computing, with connectivity enabling reporting and periodic data updates.
Onboard authority tracking:
Cross-references movement authority with train location and speed to monitor compliance and support enforcement where required.
SIL-certified braking relay (optional):
Provides an interface for automatic braking in out-of-authority scenarios, with SIL accreditation applied as required.
Train Control System (TCS) agnostic:
Integrates with existing train control systems or operates independently, supporting interoperability across multiple networks.
Infrastructure Monitoring
Monitoring infrastructure is critical to maintaining safe and efficient rail networks, with early identification of defects helping to reduce disruptions, optimise maintenance planning, and minimise operational impact.
Continuous infrastructure monitoring using onboard sensors as trains operate across the network enables data to be captured and analysed during normal operations, providing accurate, location-based insights without the need for dedicated inspection runs or additional trackside resources.
Precise Detection and Location Insights
As trains move across the network, the system detects and records track and environmental conditions, providing precise location data to support targeted maintenance and faster response times while reducing the need for manual inspections.
- Detects track and environmental conditions during normal operations
- Provides precise location data to support targeted maintenance
- Reduces reliance on manual inspections and improves response times
- Uses accelerometer data to monitor vibrations and identify irregularities
- Combines GNSS, GPS, and onboard positioning for consistent coverage, including subterranean environments
Benefits
Track condition monitoring:
Identifies surface defects, fractures, twists, warping, and worn rail.
Environmental monitoring:
Detects vegetation overgrowth, washaways, landslides, and other environmental impacts.
Precise location reporting:
Provides precise coordinates for detected conditions using GNSS, GPS, and onboard positioning methods.
Back-end office alerts:
Automated notifications and reports sent to network control personnel based on configured business rules.
Predictive insights:
Uses analytics and machine learning to identify trends and potential weak points across the network over time.
Brake Enforcement
A flexible suite of onboard systems designed to enhance driver awareness, support operational efficiency, and enable advanced train protection functions. Built on a common architecture, the solution can be configured to meet specific operational and safety requirements, supporting scalable deployment across networks.
Benefits
Trackside-independent system:
Operates without reliance on trackside equipment, reducing infrastructure requirements and complexity.
Audible and visual alerts:
Provides clear warnings for overspeed conditions and approaching limits of authority.
Onboard automatic train protection:
Enables braking intervention if operators do not respond to alerts, supporting safe operation.
Speed enforcement:
Monitors and enforces allowable track speeds, including restrictions through turnouts and other conditions.
Movement authority management:
Supports communications-based movement authorities across single and multi-track networks.
Safety certification ready:
Built in alignment with functional safety standards and regulations, with certification applied based on operational requirements.
Front of Train Event Recording
An integrated onboard solution consolidates data capture, processing, and storage into a single platform. It enables continuous recording of key data such as location, speed, time, direction, braking activity, and operational commands, providing a clear record of events leading up to incidents.
Event Recording and Data Management
The system captures, processes, and structures data from onboard sensors and systems, including location, speed, imagery, accelerometer, and navigation inputs, enabling replay, analysis, and archiving.
By centralising this information, operators gain greater visibility into onboard events and performance, with data configurable to operational requirements and securely managed to support compliance, investigation, and ongoing analysis.
Benefits
Event replay:
Sensor and system data can be replayed to support detailed analysis and investigation.
Crashworthiness:
Onboard computing can be designed to meet crashworthiness standards where required.
Built for rail:
Components are designed to meet rail industry and regulatory requirements.
One device, multiple applications:
Supports multiple software functions on a single onboard platform, reducing hardware requirements.
Rapid data communication:
Enables selected event data to be shared with network operations quickly to support faster response.
Configurable recording:
Recording parameters can be tailored, including continued data capture before and after events.
Rail vehicle agnostic:
Applicable across passenger, freight, and specialised rail vehicles.
The Future of Collision Avoidance
Rail networks are adopting intelligent onboard systems to improve safety and reduce reliance on operator line of sight. Advanced vision and multi-sensor perception combine sensor data with onboard processing to detect hazards and assess risk in relation to train position and movement authority.
By comparing real-time sensor inputs with known track and operational data, the system can identify objects within the right of way and detect anomalies ahead of the train. This enables early warning and response, with detection ranges extending significant distances depending on operating conditions.
The solution operates as a continuous onboard observer, supporting consistent performance across varying environments and conditions, and integrates with existing train control systems while maintaining flexibility for different network requirements.
Benefits
Object and hazard detection:
Detects objects in conditions beyond human visibility, enabling earlier alerts and intervention.
Advanced Driver Advisory System (ADAS):
Provides in-cab information to support operator awareness and response.
Situational awareness:
Interprets the train’s environment to determine position relative to surroundings and movement authority.
All-weather detection:
Operates reliably in low light, glare, dust, and adverse weather conditions.
SIL-certified braking relay (optional):
Supports automatic braking intervention where required, aligned to safety requirements.
Real-time onboard analytics:
Processes detection and classification onboard using rail-rated computing.
Train Control System (TCS) agnostic:
Integrates with existing systems or operates independently across multiple networks.
Rail Pit Monitoring
Real-time visibility of pit conditions, enabling early detection of flooding without the need for manual inspections. By capturing live water level data, operators can respond quickly, reduce infrastructure damage, and shift from reactive maintenance to a more proactive approach that improves network safety and reliability.
Rail Temperature Monitoring
Real-time rail temperature monitoring
Heat can cause track expansion and buckling, increasing the risk of derailment. Access to localised, real-time temperature data allows operators to apply targeted speed restrictions only where needed, reducing unnecessary delays while maintaining safety.
Managing rail temperature risk
Accurate track and ambient temperature data provide clear visibility of changing conditions across the network. By removing reliance on distant weather stations and manual readings, operators can respond with greater precision, improving decision-making, and maintaining safe, efficient operations.
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