Railway trespassers to be spotted by drone

British Transport Police (BTP) said the airborne surveillance could significantly reduce the time that lines were closed after people were spotted on the tracks.

It could also be used to help search for missing people. They could be traced far more easily with the potential to prevent suicides.

More than 2,000 trains a year in Scotland arrive late because of trespassers on the line.

The innovation is seen as having particular potential on remote routes which take officers longer to reach.

Drones would be sent to incidents so their operators could rapidly assess what had happened and how to respond.

They could be mobilised in response to train drivers reporting people on the line.

Delays totalling 32,000 minutes – the equivalent of three weeks – were caused by trespassers in the year to March. Disruption was caused by children 186 times.

BTP said it hoped to start the trials within months once the legal requirements had been completed. They will be jointly run with Network Rail Scotland, which already uses drones to check tracks

A BTP spokesman said: “We are looking at ways of best using technology across Scotland’s railway to tackle all forms of disruption.

“Some of the network is very rural, where the use of technology might be more efficient than using Network Rail or BTP staff.

“The aim is to improve the passenger experience, reduce disruption and enhance safety.

“Drones could prove to be a massive benefit as there is the potential to cut out a huge amount of time from the disruption caused by incidents.”

Network Rail Scotland said 2,141 trains were classed as late in the year to March because of incidents caused by trespassers – the equivalent of virtually every ScotRail service being delayed on a single day.

BTP stressed that drones would not used in conjunction with biometrics or facial recognition technology.

Its spokesman also thought it unlikely they would be use to broadcast warnings to trespassers, as police have done in countries such as Austria and Spain to disperse crowds over Covid-19.

BTP said people on rail tracks might panic and put themselves in increased danger.

The forthcoming trials follow the successful use of drones by BTP in England.

Police Scotland launched drone tests in Aberdeen and Inverness a year ago to help search for missing and vulnerable people.

These are deployed by specially trained officers from operational support units and transported in marked police vehicles.

However, the force has said drones have not been used as part of its response to the virus pandemic.

Network Rail Scotland route director Liam Sumpter said: “Trespass causes significant delays across our network each year.

“We work closely with BTP to try to prevent the public illegally accessing the railway and to remove them as quickly as possible when they do. We already use drones to help manage and inspect our infrastructure.

“We are always keen to explore ways in which we can use new technologies to reduce disruption and further improve the service we provide to our customers.”

The increasingly widespread use of drones in Scotland has also seen them deployed to deliver coronavirus test kits, protective equipment and other medical supplies between hospitals in Oban and Craignure on Mull.

The trial by drone delivery firm Skyports, which was due to end on Friday, has cut transfer times to around 15 minutes, replacing road trips that include a 45-minute ferry journey.

It is seen as a significant development that could pave the way for health boards across the country to follow suit.

Similar tests are taking place in England, where the current reduction in aircraft traffic has made it possible for the first time.

Drones have also been used for inspection work, such as on the Forth Road Bridge following structural damage which closed the crossing in 2015.