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Video system on trial at LRT station where man died

SINGAPORE — A video analytics system which can detect track intrusions has been on trial at Fajar LRT Station since March, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday.

The lack of detection measures on the driverless Bukit Panjang LRT network — which includes Fajar station — came under the spotlight during a Coroner’s Inquiry on Wednesday into the death of a man who fell onto the tracks there in March and was run over by two trains. TODAY file photo

The lack of detection measures on the driverless Bukit Panjang LRT network — which includes Fajar station — came under the spotlight during a Coroner’s Inquiry on Wednesday into the death of a man who fell onto the tracks there in March and was run over by two trains. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — A video analytics system which can detect track intrusions has been on trial at Fajar LRT Station since March, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday.

The lack of detection measures on the driverless Bukit Panjang LRT network — which includes Fajar station — came under the spotlight during a Coroner’s Inquiry on Wednesday into the death of a man who fell onto the tracks there in March and was run over by two trains.

Separately, SMRT — which operates the Bukit Panjang LRT network — said it would take steps to bolster safety along the LRT line.

In response to TODAY’s queries, an LTA spokesperson said the video analytics system “would issue alerts to the train operator of a possible situation for investigations or remedial actions”.

The trial will be assessed for its effectiveness before the LTA decides on the next step.

The use of video analytics to detect and track abnormal patterns of motion on the track “is a step in the right direction” for rail operator SMRT, said State Coroner Marvin Bay on Wednesday.

He recorded a verdict of a “truly tragic misadventure” over the death of Ang Boon Tong, a 43-year-old cook, at Fajar LRT Station after midnight on March 24.

TODAY understands that the video analytics system was not operating at the time of the incident since the trial is being conducted only during off-service hours.

Meanwhile, Mr Patrick Nathan, SMRT vice-president for corporate communications, told TODAY that the rail operator will put additional signs at Bukit Panjang LRT station platforms to remind commuters to stay behind the yellow line for their safety. “We will also work to improve commuters’ awareness of proper use of the emergency train stop button,” he added.

TODAY understands that the measures to improve such awareness could include signs pointing out where the emergency button is, what it is for, and what happens when the button is activated.

State Coroner Bay said that the rail operator should have made clearer to commuters what they can do when certain incidents happen.

For example, if people or objects fall on the tracks, the operator could alert passengers on the station platform to press an emergency stop button, or to the location of safe spots where the person on the track could go.

Mr Bay added that it is “entirely conceivable” that someone who falls onto the track might be “infirm, inebriated … or cognitively impaired”.

Mr Nathan said that safety measures on the Bukit Panjang LRT line now include “fixed barriers at station platforms, safety reminders displayed on posters, regular broadcast messages at the platforms to remind passengers to stand behind the yellow line while waiting for the train”.

There is also a line of tactile warning studs installed before the yellow safety line along the entire platform “to warn visually handicapped passengers that they are approaching the platform edge”, he added.

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