Skoda is trailing a new safety technology in theCzech Republic that could warn drivers of approaching trains to reduce the risk of accidents at level crossings.
According to the U.K.'s Rail Safety and Standards Board, there were a total of 992 near misses between trains and road vehicles at level crossings on the mainline network in Britain between 2011 and 2021.
The new technology will play an audible warning that informs the drivers to stop if a train is approaching at a crossing ahead Furthermore, there were 8,264 instances of vehicles misusing level crossings in Britain by crossing them when it was unsafe, over a seven-year period between 2014 and 2021.
Skoda is thus piloting a new train warning software with Czech railway company Leo Express. The software is updated with real-time train locations via the cloud, and can replay this information to any vehicle using the Traffication infotainment app near a level crossing when a train is approaching.
The warning about the approaching train will then be shown on the central infotainment display along with an audible warning that will inform the driver to stop. Skoda is working on integrating this technology with other railway companies across Europe.
The Skoda Traffication app already provides real-time alerts to drivers of nearby traffic hazards, and in the U.K., can warn drivers of severe weather as well as bad road conditions and nearby accidents.
According to the U.K.'s Rail Safety and Standards Board, there were a total of 992 near misses between trains and road vehicles at level crossings on the mainline network in Britain between 2011 and 2021.
Skoda is thus piloting a new train warning software with Czech railway company Leo Express. The software is updated with real-time train locations via the cloud, and can replay this information to any vehicle using the Traffication infotainment app near a level crossing when a train is approaching.
The warning about the approaching train will then be shown on the central infotainment display along with an audible warning that will inform the driver to stop. Skoda is working on integrating this technology with other railway companies across Europe.
The Skoda Traffication app already provides real-time alerts to drivers of nearby traffic hazards, and in the U.K., can warn drivers of severe weather as well as bad road conditions and nearby accidents.
