SORHEA by HIRSCH’s expertise lies in developing and supplying advanced intrusion detection solutions for the security of sensitive infrastructure. At the request of Infrabel the Belgian rail network operator, we have put our technologies and expertise to work on the Warning Box, adapting our equipment to the specific requirements of railroad crossings, where failure to comply with signals is a major issue.
A major issue: safety at railroad crossings in Belgium
Every year, nearly 45 accidents are recorded at level crossings in Belgium, unfortunately resulting in almost one death per month. Despite the prevention and elimination measures taken by Infrabel, carelessness – in particular crossing closed barriers – remains the main cause of these incidents.
A solution designed by Infrabel, supported by SORHEA’s expertise
The Warning Box is a device designed and developed by Infrabel. Our contribution: providing and integrating reliable infrared technology, enabling the Warning Box to accurately detect any crossing when a barrier is lowered. In the event of an intrusion, the system triggers an audible signal and a voice warning message, while limiting noise pollution.
Easy to install, flexible and compatible with existing infrastructure, our equipment meets the needs of the Belgian railway system.
Field testing and commitment SORHEA by HIRSCH
Wevelgem station, which is particularly exposed, is a strategic location for the deployment of this system. Thanks to the installation carried out by Infrabel and the technology provided by SORHEA, the number of risky behaviours has decreased significantly: nearly half of the users who were challenged decided not to cross the tracks, proving the effectiveness of the solution. This partnership with Infrabel illustrates SORHEA by HIRSCH’s ambition: to provide concrete and relevant solutions to enhance everyday rail safety.
Railway Trespassing and Safety Situation in the Baltic States
The main challenge for railway safety in the Baltic states, as in much of the European Union, is the high rate of incidents involving unauthorised persons on railway premises (trespassing) and level crossing accidents. These two categories, often resulting from human carelessness and disregard for warning signals, consistently account for the vast majority of fatalities.
The overall safety trend in the Baltic states mirrors the EU average, showing a general decrease in significant accidents over the last decade, although fatalities among unauthorized persons remain a persistent issue.
Relevance to the Warning Box Innovation
The Warning Box, developed by Infrabel (Belgium) and supported by SORHEA technology, offers a tangible solution directly applicable to mitigating the unauthorized crossing problem prevalent in the Baltic states.
- The "Warning Box" Mechanism: The device utilizes infrared technology to accurately detect the presence of unauthorized persons (pedestrians or vehicles) attempting to cross tracks when the safety barriers at a level crossing are closed. Upon detection, it triggers an audible signal and voice warning message aimed at immediately challenging the reckless behaviour.
- Addressing the Core Problem: The Baltic safety data confirms that fatalities are primarily caused by unauthorized entry onto the tracks, including crossing closed barriers. The Warning Box specifically targets this deliberate risk-taking at level crossings, which is a major component of unauthorized access.
- Proven Effectiveness: The Sorhea article highlights that the solution significantly decreased risky behaviour during field testing, with nearly half of challenged users deciding not to cross the tracks. This demonstrates that the technology can actively deter dangerous human behavior, a key need for railway operators in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia looking to reduce their annual trespasser fatality counts.