UK rail operator GBR Anglia will begin trials of a new beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone service in Romford, east London this summer. The project aims to support faster response times to trespass incidents and early identification of infrastructure issues across the region of East Anglia.
The trial has been approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Following sixteen months of development work, the BVLOS drones will be operated on Network Rail’s behalf by heliguy. The trial will enable Network Rail teams to access live aerial coverage up to 400 metres from Romford Rail Operating Centre, providing faster access to information compared with standard drone systems and reducing the need for staff to enter higher-risk areas.
The aim is to expand the use of BVLOS drone operations across strategic locations in Anglia, with flights extending up to four kilometres.
A parallel trial will also take place on Network Rail’s Western route in Gloucester. Together, the trials will help Network Rail assess how BVLOS drone technology could support faster incident response and more efficient inspections.
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Image: Network Rail / heliguy