SDO-MET · Project

Sensor-Based Safety System That Detects Obstacles on Metro Tracks and Platforms

transportTestedTRL 7

Imagine a set of smart eyes — LIDAR sensors and cameras — watching every metre of a metro track and platform, spotting people or objects that shouldn't be there before a driverless train arrives. That's what SDO-MET built: a detection system that replaces expensive platform screen doors and outdated sensors with a cheaper, easier-to-install alternative. Think of it like the collision-avoidance tech in modern cars, but designed specifically for underground railways. The Spanish SME behind it already had trade relationships with metro operators in Barcelona, Madrid, and Brussels when they developed their prototype.

By the numbers

5,122

Railway incidents involving people across Europe (2012)

1,133

Deaths from railway incidents in Europe (2012)

1,016

Serious injuries from railway incidents (2012)

1.5 billion euros

Combined cost of fatalities and serious injuries in EU (2012)

1,800 km

Rail lines expected to be automated worldwide by 2025

497

Metro lines worldwide (addressable market)

452.7 B €

Potential worldwide market size for SDO-MET

2,973

Suicides on railways in Europe (2012)

The business problem

What needed solving

Automated metro lines are growing worldwide, but platform and track safety remains a critical challenge — 5,122 railway incidents involving people occurred in Europe in 2012 alone, costing the EU more than 1.5 billion euros. Current solutions like platform screen doors are expensive to install and impractical for retrofitting existing stations. Metro operators need a cheaper, faster-to-deploy safety system that can detect people and obstacles on tracks before driverless trains arrive.

The solution

What was built

The project built a track surveillance system combining LIDAR, colour imaging sensors, and radar with computational intelligence for real-time object detection on metro platforms and tracks. A total of 5 deliverables were produced, including the demonstrated surveillance system prototype.

Audience

Who needs this

Metro operators deploying or upgrading automated (driverless) train linesRailway equipment manufacturers (e.g., Siemens, Bombardier, Thales) looking to integrate platform safety techTransport engineering consultancies designing new metro infrastructureCity transit authorities planning metro expansions in growing urban areasRailway safety regulators evaluating alternatives to platform screen doors

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Urban Metro Operations

enterprise

Target: Metropolitan transit authorities operating or planning driverless metro lines

If you are a metro operator moving toward automated train operation and dealing with platform safety risks — this project developed a sensor-based track surveillance system using LIDAR and cameras that detects obstacles and people on tracks. With 5,122 railway incidents involving people across Europe in 2012 alone, this system offers a lower-cost alternative to platform screen doors for protecting passengers on automated lines.

Railway Equipment Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Manufacturers and distributors of railway signalling and safety equipment

If you are a railway equipment manufacturer looking to expand your safety product portfolio — SDO-MET built a track and platform surveillance system that integrates optical sensors, LIDAR, and computational intelligence for object detection. The system targets 497 metro lines worldwide, representing a potential market the project valued at 452.7 billion euros. It was designed to be easier to install than existing platform protection systems.

Rail Infrastructure Engineering

mid-size

Target: Engineering consultancies designing new metro lines or retrofitting existing ones

If you are a project engineering firm designing automated metro infrastructure and need to specify platform protection — SDO-MET developed a surveillance system that combines multiple sensor types as an alternative to physical barriers. The project spent 5 years developing its first prototype and received EU SME Phase 2 funding to reach market readiness, making it a potential specification option for new metro builds or line upgrades.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this system cost compared to platform screen doors?

The project describes SDO-MET as a 'lower cost and easier to install alternative' to current platform protection systems, but specific pricing is not disclosed in the available project data. Platform screen doors typically cost millions per station, so a sensor-based alternative could represent significant savings.

Can this scale to an entire metro network, not just one station?

The system was designed with network-wide deployment in mind. The project identified 497 metro lines worldwide as the addressable market. The sensor-based approach (LIDAR + cameras) is inherently more scalable than physical barriers since it requires no structural modifications to platforms.

Who owns the intellectual property and how can I license this?

The IP is held by AUTOMATITZACIO DE PROCESSOS I MEDIAMBIENT SL, the sole partner — a Spanish SME. As the only consortium member, they have full control over licensing and commercialisation decisions. Contact them directly through their website at railsa.eu.

Has this been tested in a real metro environment?

The project developed a track surveillance system prototype over 5 years before receiving EU Phase 2 funding to reach market readiness. They report existing trade relations with Barcelona Metropolitan Transport, Metro de Madrid, and Brussels Metro, suggesting real-world engagement. Based on available project data, a demonstrator-level deliverable was produced.

What sensors does the system use and how does it detect obstacles?

SDO-MET uses a combination of LIDAR, colour imaging sensors, and radar for object detection on tracks and platforms. The system applies computational intelligence to process sensor data and identify people or objects in the danger zone. This multi-sensor approach provides redundancy for safety-critical detection.

Is this compliant with European rail safety regulations?

The project was developed within the EU SME Instrument programme and targets European metro operators. Based on available project data, specific certifications (e.g., CENELEC SIL levels) are not mentioned, but the system would need to meet EN 50129 and related standards for deployment. Prospective buyers should verify current certification status with the developer.

When could this be deployed in a new metro project?

The project closed in July 2017 after a 27-month Phase 2 development period aimed at achieving market readiness. The company (railsa.eu) would need to confirm current product status and availability, as several years have passed since the EU-funded development concluded.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project — AUTOMATITZACIO DE PROCESSOS I MEDIAMBIENT SL, a Spanish SME that was the sole consortium partner. There are no university or research institute partners, which means all IP sits with one company and decisions are fast, but it also means no academic validation layer. The 100% industry ratio and SME status indicate this is a product-driven venture, not a research exercise. The company already had trade relations with major metro operators (Barcelona, Madrid, Brussels), which signals real market traction rather than theoretical interest. For a potential buyer or partner, the single-entity structure simplifies negotiations — you deal with one decision-maker who owns everything.

AUTOMATITZACIO DE PROCESSOS I MEDIAMBIENT SLCoordinator · ES

How to reach the team

AUTOMATITZACIO DE PROCESSOS I MEDIAMBIENT SL is a Spanish SME — check railsa.eu for contact details or reach out via SciTransfer

Order a report on this consortium See AUTOMATITZACIO DE PROCESSOS I MEDIAMBIENT SL profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the SDO-MET team? SciTransfer can connect you with the developer and provide a detailed technology brief tailored to your metro safety requirements.

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