Network Rail deploys 'human-hunting drones' to pursue track trespassers delaying Britain's trains ()
<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52698091%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3D6EpZB8-oN6z" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p>Network Rail is set to deploy drones which can fly "beyond visual line of sight" to combat trespassers across Britain's railways.</p><p>The track operator plans to use unmanned craft to patrol long stretches of track, scanning for vandals, graffiti artists and thieves.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>Last year saw more than 18,500 reported instances of trespass on the UK's railways, leaving 1.5 million minutes of delays in their wake.</p><p>These incidents cost more than £70million in compensation and internal charges.</p><p>Dominic Mottram, Network Rail's head of drone strategy, said the technology will be "revolutionary" in tackling the problem - and the plans are expected to win Civil Aviation Authority approval in the coming months.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Dominic Mottram" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a8e7c47147012e08c15198aafd4b6544" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="5dc90" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/dominic-mottram.jpg?id=59758754&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><p>Network Rail already operates around 200 drones, one of Europe's biggest fleets, but they currently face significant limitations.</p><p>Existing drones must remain within visual range of the operator, restricting flights to about a third of a mile - which makes them largely ineffective for locating and filming trespassers.</p><p>Under the new plans, drones will be able to travel "tens of miles from base", Mottram said.</p><p>"It's going to make a huge difference and send out a message that people must stay off the railway or they will be caught," he said.</p><p>"It's the equivalent of having bobbies on the beat."</p><p><strong>MORE DRONE BREAKTHROUGHS:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/news/drones-spotted-uk-bases-us-russian-sleeper-agents" target="_blank">Mystery drones spotted over UK and US bases could be from 'Russian sleeper agents'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/news/us/us-underwater-drones-war-china-threat" target="_blank">US developing 'underwater drones' amid potential threat of war with China</a><span></span></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/news/video-mystery-drones-uk-suspicions-russia" target="_blank">Mystery drones appearing in UK leave suspicions 'with the likes of Russia', Mark White claims</a></li></ul><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Network Rail logo" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8a23976657adc2238a1c9bbf91df24cc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="88525" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/network-rail-logo.jpg?id=59758769&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><p>The drones are set to respond within two minutes of a reported incident in urban areas.</p><p>This compares favourably to minimum response times of about 10 minutes for police and 20 minutes for Network Rail staff.</p><p>The unmanned craft will quickly locate and follow offenders while British Transport Police or Network Rail's mobile crews head to the scene.</p><p>Mottram said that drones will be equally important in confirming trespassers have left the tracks, which will allow lines to reopen more quickly following incidents.</p><p>The drones will transmit real-time video and body heat-detecting infrared feeds to operators which can be used as evidence in court cases against railway trespassers.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Drone" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="037eaffd2e26a95388cf4cd87e9ac926" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="445dd" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/drone.jpg?id=59758770&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-mostread"></div><p>Additional future plans could see drones hovering on the lookout for collapsed trees, lineside fires and animals on the track.</p><p>Network Rail is working with two specialist firms, Dronecloud and Drone Major, to secure "beyond visual line of sight" capabilities.</p><p>Dronecloud is conducting trials in Birmingham, providing aerial coverage within 6 miles of the city centre, alongside tests in rural South Wales.</p><p>Meanwhile, Drone Major is testing its system in Wolverhampton and on the Severn Valley Railway.</p><p>Both companies are deploying ground-based sensors and satellite positioning to control the craft.</p><p>Dronecloud said flying distances would be increased incrementally at a pace dictated by the CAA.</p><p>The drones could also undertake track-inspection tasks, reducing risks to rail workers - and Network Rail's £2billion annual monitoring bill.</p><p>Network Rail will continue using two helicopters for remote Scottish Highland lines and London operations, it said.</p>
