Arbroath station earmarked for cutting-edge CCTV

Rail operator ScotRail says it is increasing the safety and security by installing the new cameras, which feature upgraded intelligent video analytics.

This means that they will be able to analyse movements of customers on the platform to determine if members of the public are in unsafe situations, allowing the CCTV monitoring team to alert station staff, signallers and British Transport Police if necessary.

Everything from monitoring passenger numbers, which will assist with crowd management, to behavioural analytics which can identify people lingering in stations can be controlled via the new camera units.

ScotRail hopes that the new equipment will help to identify vulnerable people and reduce fatalities on the railway network, as well as combating antisocial behaviour.

The upgrade is part of a £2million investment in the CCTV network across the railway, which, in 2018, saw ScotRail move from 220 scrolling CCTV monitors covering more than 280 stations to a 24-screen intelligent video wall in its customer service centres.

The company has one of the largest CCTV networks in the UK, with more than 7000 cameras monitoring over 350 stations, which are monitored remotely from customer service centres in Paisley and Dunfermline, where they also answer calls from the station Help Points.

Michael Arnott, ScotRail customer information operations manager, said the move is part of the company’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for customers and staff.

He added: “The new CCTV analytics system is designed to provide even more security and reassurance to anyone using the network.

“The introduction of this cutting-edge technology means that our team will now be alerted when anyone enters an unsafe or restricted area of the railway, allowing them to alert signallers to stop trains, if needed, which could potentially save a life.”