Man v machine: rail safety project pits human eye-tracking against AI

Potential improvements in rail safety will be investigated as part of a research study pitting an artificial intelligence tool against the human brain’s ability to track and process hazards.

The Optimus prototype — installed at a Network Rail-operated level crossing near Cheltenham in England earlier this year — uses machine learning and an AI-based object detection system to identify and quantify different types of traffic.

It will allow researchers from the University of Leicester to compare both the accuracy and speed of its detection capability to a human completing the same task.

It is believed that the study is the first in comparing humans and AI for the task of “visual census” in this way.

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Researchers in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences have combined efforts with visual perception experts from Leicester’s Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour to shape the study, which will track participants’ eye movements when faced with several fast-moving hazards simultaneously.

The research will be used to inform the next generation of a rail safety devices.

“The question was asked on the project ‘How good is good?’, in relation to the performance of the Optimus system at the crossing,” said George Leete, KTP research associate within the AI, Data Analytics and Modelling Centre at the University of Leicester.

“I am confident that the results of this study will lend us some valuable insight into this question, firstly how good humans are at the current task and, secondly whether our current system holds up to human standards,” said Mr Leete, who leads development of the machine-learning aspect of the project.

“We believe this is the first time an AI-based system will be validated against a standard in this way, opening the door for other systems to be validated via a similar method.”

There are about 6,000 level crossings in the UK, said the Network Rail, which is responsible for the country’s rail infrastructure. Figures for 2019 and 2020 show that there were 316 near misses with pedestrians on UK level crossings, and two pedestrian fatalities.

The Optimus prototype was installed at a site on the Cross Country Route in January 2022 and has already identified hundreds of thousands of movements on the crossing, including movements by pedestrians, cyclists and other road traffic.

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UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.