In the current era of smart phones, smart TV, smart buildings and even smart cities, can the humble level crossing gates (LC gates) of the Indian Railways continue to be un-smart? Moving with the times, the LC gates are set to go ‘smart’.
The Innovation Cell of the Mysuru Division of the South Western Railway has embarked upon the ‘Smart LC Gates’ project in which an alarm or buzzer will automatically be triggered at the unmanned LC gates and alert motorists. “The concept is in an advanced stage of completion and a prototype was also demonstrated, and we plan to introduce it in due course,” said Atul Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru Division. He told The Hindu that a team of technical personnel have been grouped and brought together at the Innovation Cell where the concept was mooted and is being worked out.
A senior engineer in the Mysuru Division explained that they were trying out two different technologies, both of which were being developed by young engineers. ‘They are startups, one of which is based out of Mandya and the other is in Bengaluru,” he said.
The prototype entails adopting long-range wireless technology and the device has to be installed at the unmanned LC gates where the approaching train triggers an alarm to alert the motorists.
To start with, it would be used at four LC gates on the Nanjangud-Chamarajanagar section, where it would be tested for feasibility.
The other technology is an adaptation of the present portable warning system developed by the Innovation Cell. It is being used at the track sites where the gangmen are engaged in track maintenance, but may not be aware of the approaching trains. The portable warning system, installed at about 500 metres from their place of work, triggers an alarm when the train approaches and the same concept is being modified to meet the unmanned LC gate requirements.
There are nearly 115 unmanned LC gates across the Mysuru Division and the plan is to eliminate them within one year.
At present, these unmanned LC gates are manned by ‘gate mitras’, who caution motorists. Inducting technology is expected to be more effective.
