Network Rail is conducting trials of "beyond visual line of sight" (BVLOS) drone technology in Birmingham and Wolverhampton in collaboration with Drone Major Limited and Dronecloud.
Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drones have the technology to cover many more miles of track compared to their Visual Line of Sight equivalents.
Network Rail believe this to be a more efficient solution to crack down on delays from trespassers rather than using standard drones a
nd their helicopter.
Railway authorities report that trespassing incidents have caused approximately 1.5 million minutes of delays since April 2024.
The drones have been described as ‘a game changer’ by the public sector rail body due to their rapid response and potential to survey the railway safely from above.
The Birmingham trial features a drone operations centre at Network Rail's Rail Operating Centre, providing aerial monitoring of local infrastructure.
This system, developed with drone operator RUAS and manufacturers Velos Motors and Evolve Dynamics, was deployed during an incident at Birmingham New Street station.
In Wolverhampton and the Severn Valley Railway they are testing "Digital Tethering™" technology designed for areas with limited GPS/GNSS reception.
According to Network rail both solutions offer a faster response to operational incidents while assuring the safety of trains and people on the ground, and safety and privacy for lineside neighbours.
Dominic Mottram Network Rail’s programme manager for national drone strategy said: "The potential for these projects to deliver a more reliable, safer railway for our passengers and colleagues is huge and could even be a game-changer."
He stated that drone surveillance could direct maintenance teams to specific locations without requiring staff to walk along tracks, potentially reducing their exposure to risks associated with active railways.
Current regulations require visual observers to monitor drone flights, though operators control the aircraft remotely.
Network Rail aims to secure Civil Aviation Authority approval for full BVLOS operations to be deployed for wider use across regions later this year.