Chicago Metro will implement DAS technology from Sensonic to automatically detect foreign objects and improve rail condition monitoring under a pilot project. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Chicago Metro will implement DAS technology from Sensonic to automatically detect foreign objects and improve rail condition monitoring under a pilot project.
Photo: Sensonic

Sensonic, part of Austria’s Frauscher Group, signed a contract with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to launch an innovative Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system.

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DAS Technology to Improve Safety in Chicago Metro

The system uses fiber-optic cable along the tracks to monitor up to 80 kilometers of infrastructure. Artificial intelligence processes signals and detects intrusions or foreign items.

Chicago Metro staff receive real-time alerts, which significantly enhances safety and reduces risks across the network.

The 12-month pilot will begin with selecting installation sites based on elevated, ground-level, and underground segments. Field testing will follow in live operating conditions.

Once testing is complete, the devices will be deployed in pre-selected locations. The system’s performance will be evaluated across various urban rail environments.

Sensonic Elevates Chicago Metro to a Digital Standard

Chicago Metro is not the first site to adopt Sensonic’s solution. Similar systems have been successfully deployed in Brazil, Spain, India, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Austria.

In each case, the technology has proven reliable and helped reduce the number of incidents on rail networks. The AI-powered system accurately detects any activity within the control zone.

The DAS system will play a key role in ensuring safety. CTA expects that successful implementation could lead to broader adoption across other U.S. cities.

Sensonic’s cutting-edge solution aligns with the global shift toward digitalizing public transport. Chicago is positioning itself as a leader in urban transit innovation.

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