At the recent Railway Safety Regulator’s Annual Conference held in Cape Town, Dr Willem Sprong, the University of Pretoria’s Chair in Railway Safety, presented a highly innovative approach to safeguarding South Africa’s railway infrastructure. In his presentation titled “Leveraging Innovative Technology to Counter Criminal Attacks on Railway Infrastructure”, Dr Sprong highlighted the critical role of technology in bolstering security and minimising disruption caused by criminal acts. The initiative also explores how technological advancements support Transnet’s goal of enabling open access in the railway sector, providing new safety avenues for third-party operators.
In response to increasing threats to rail infrastructure, Transnet has adopted an outcome-based security model that places the responsibility for preventing criminal attacks directly on security providers. Under this model, providers are evaluated on their ability to maintain uninterrupted train operations, making them accountable for both the deterrence and response to security threats. Keeping in mind that it is almost impossible to predict when or where an attack may occur, Dr Sprong highlighted that, in this context, technology serves not just as a preventative measure but as a tool for immediate reaction, where faster response times are essential to deterring criminal activity effectively.
In response to persistent overhead track equipment (OHTE) theft, Dr Sprong and the team from Fidelity Security Group’s Specialized Services developed the OHTE Tampering Detection Device (TDD), a customised Internet of Things (IoT) device designed to signal tampering on overhead track equipment.
The innovative device’s inception began when Transnet’s outcome-based security provider sought solutions to secure the North-Eastern rail corridor, which experienced rampant component theft and vandalism.
The OHTE TDD’s unique feature is its capability to detect early interference on contact wires, allowing a response team to mobilise before the theft is fully executed. A major hurdle involved developing technology capable of communicating in remote areas, for which the team selected the Sigfox network due to its extensive coverage and strong security. Fidelity Security Group, as a major partner in the Sigfox network in Southern Africa and its highly skilled technical teams, enabled the seamless integration of the technology through the network and the rapid response of their teams protecting the North-Eastern corridor.
Device Development and Implementation
The OHTE TDD device faced several challenges in both design and deployment. The team initially tested prototypes using 3D-printed casings and later refined them for robustness. The devices are now deployed approximately every 300 metres, using precise GPS technology to track their exact locations and ensure efficient installation.
One key innovation involves the OHTE TDD’s communication method. The devices are networked via Sigfox, but also employ peer-to-peer connectivity without the need of a base station, which ensures that each device can relay information through a chain, bypassing network limitations. The device also makes use of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver for accurate location.
Dr Sprong explained that this decentralised system prevents signal interruption and prolongs battery life, a crucial factor given that each battery must last for at least the contract duration.
Statistics underscore the severity of rail asset theft in South Africa, with roughly 7,000 theft incidents reported annually. The North-Eastern corridor, in particular, was plagued with an average of 12,000 metres of contact wire stolen monthly before the start of the installation of the devices. Since then a reduction of almost 90%, to about 1,200 metres was recorded monthly. Transnet’s 480 kilometres of track in this area required approximately 2,100 tampering devices for adequate coverage, and the backwall collaboration with UnaConnect proved essential for securely managing the vast data these devices produce.
Each installed OHTE TDD can be calibrated remotely, enhancing its ability to avoid false triggers from regular train operations while allowing guards on-site to receive tampering alerts instantaneously. Real-time notifications drastically reduce response times, enabling an efficient and effective deterrent mechanism.
Impact on Theft Reduction and Operational Efficiency
Since April 2024, the full-scale deployment of the OHTE TDD has yielded impressive results. Train cancellations along the corridor due to overhead equipment theft dropped from an average of 28 per month to just four, translating into substantial financial savings.
The value of these savings, averaging R1.2 million per prevented train cancellation, underscores the immense potential of these devices in achieving Transnet’s goals.
In addition to financial impact, these developments have led to a new understanding of proactive and reactive security measures. As Dr Sprong concluded, “Improving reaction times has proven to transform reactive responses into proactive security actions.”
The OHTE Tampering Detection Device stands to transform rail infrastructure security in South Africa. By leveraging advanced IoT solutions, Transnet and its partners are making significant strides in protecting vital rail assets from theft. This success demonstrates the potential of well-integrated technology to address persistent infrastructure challenges and underscores the importance of innovation in achieving railway resilience and safety.
