Infrabel installs cameras to prevent railway suicide

Belgium's rail network manager Infrabel has plans to install thermal cameras along the Belgian railway network in order to detect people walking along the tracks. "The cameras will be placed where suicides and suicide attempts occur frequently," Minister Jean-Pascal Labille told Het Nieuwsblad.

According to Infrabel spokesman, Thomas Baeken, the idea comes from the UK, where it has proven very successful. "As soon as the heat-sensitive camera detects a person near the tracks, it sends out an alarm,” Baeken said. “It is then up to our security personnel to intervene." That can mean sending someone out to patrol the area, or bringing the trains to a halt.”

The cameras will first be tested in West Flanders, where the highest number of suicidal incidents occurs. If the pilot project proves effective, in the long-term Infrabel would install thermal cameras at 24 points along the Belgian railway network.

In 2013 there were 163 suicidal acts along the tracks in Belgium, resulting in 95 suicides and 68 suicide attempts.