With an expected growth in population in Melbourne over the next 5-10 years there is an increasing need for real-time information to support MTM operations in two key areas: crowd management and trespasser detection. Currently, crowd levels are assessed visually, which is inherently prone to error. Similarly, trespasser incidents are typically reported by the public or identified by train drivers via Rail Emergency Calls (REC), resulting in delayed responses and limited situational awareness. The presentation describes a trial aimed at delivering real-time, accurate information to operations staff to inform decisions related to crowd and trespasser management. Laser Imaging, Detection, and Ranging (LiDAR) technology was selected and is undergoing a 12-month trial to validate its ability to support a shift towards a more proactive approach.
