Priority ONE for UK Railway, Could GPS Tracking for Trackside Workers and Integrating with ETCS Level 2 Eliminate Injury or Worse to Rail Staff?

 

Keeping workers safe on the railway is priority number one. GPS tracking could be a game-changer for reducing the number of staff exposed to moving trains, especially in ETCS Level 2 areas where movement authority is managed digitally. But how accurate is GPS today, and how could it integrate with existing systems?

Current GPS Tracking Tools in Rail

A few solutions are already making trackside work safer:

Tended’s Geofencing Tech – Virtual safety zones that alert workers if they stray into danger.

Onwave’s OWL Devices – Ultra-precise GPS tracking with 1-2 cm accuracy, ensuring real-time location awareness.

ACTIA’s SAFeasy200 – A wireless warning system for track workers, covering areas up to 1500m.

GPS Accuracy – How Close Can We Get?

  • Standard GPS: 5-10m accuracy
    • Not suitable if there are many tracks at the site of work?
  • High-end railway GPS: 1m or better
    • Better than Standard GPS but still might not be accurate enough with multiple tracks
  • Survey-grade tracking (like Onwave OWL): 1-2 cm accuracy
    • The better level of accuracy, but cost may impact on the delivery of a system

This level of precision makes it possible to track exactly which track workers are on-track—a key factor in integrating GPS into digital railway systems.

ETCS Level 2 – Where Does GPS Fit?

ETCS Level 2 already continuously communicates train positions, but GPS tracking for workers could take this further by:

🚨 Automated alerts – If a worker enters an operationally live area, both them and the train driver get notified instantly, the driver would be informed and advised to slow/stop.

📡 Live location data – Control centres live monitor and react in real-time to keep workers safe. Enables a remote monitoring of active track workers to ensure corrective and immediate action can have an impact before it's too late.

🛠 Smart scheduling – Work sites could be dynamically planned around train movements, reducing live track-side presence.

Beyond GPS – Other Tools to Consider

🔹 Wearable safety devices – Personal trackers with hazard detection and emergency SOS.
🔹 Real-time video monitoring – Combining GPS with live feeds for a full safety picture.
🔹 Geo-fencing – Smart boundaries that trigger alerts when entered.

The goal? Fewer workers exposed to moving trains, better control over track-side safety, and a smarter, data-driven railway.

​Despite advancements in railway safety, recent statistics highlight a pressing need for enhanced measures to protect track-side workers.​

Current Safety Statistics

In the 2022/23 financial year, the British rail network recorded 20 non-suicide fatalities, encompassing passengers, workforce, and members of the public. While specific data on workforce fatalities for this period is limited, historical trends indicate persistent risks. For instance, in 2018/19, there were two workforce fatalities, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by track-side personnel. ​

Data taken form Statista and ORR reports.

The Imperative for Enhanced Safety Measures

These incidents underscore the critical need to bolster safety protocols for railway staff. Traditional safety measures, while beneficial, may not sufficiently address the dynamic hazards of modern railway operations. Implementing advanced technologies, such as real-time GPS tracking and geo-fencing, could significantly reduce the risks faced by sidetrack workers. These systems offer precise location monitoring and immediate hazard alerts, enabling proactive interventions and fostering a safer working environment.​

By integrating such innovative solutions, the railway industry can move towards a future where track-side fatalities and injuries are substantially minimised, ensuring the well-being of its workforce.

Would you trust a GPS-based system for trackside safety? Drop your thoughts below! 👇

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