Bremen trials AI-based safety system ‘AI Watch’ on city trams
Public transport operator BSAG in Bremen has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered safety monitoring system on trams to detect hazards and improve passenger and operator protection in real time.
The city of Bremen, Germany, has begun piloting an AI-based safety system called AI Watch on its tram fleet. The technology uses onboard cameras and computer vision models to automatically detect potential safety issues, such as passengers too close to doors, objects on the tracks, or unexpected pedestrian behaviour, and alerts tram operators in real time.
The goal is to reduce accidents and enhance situational awareness without replacing human oversight.
Developed with transport and AI specialists, AI Watch integrates with vehicles’ existing sensor suites and is designed to function in real-time operational environments. During the pilot, the system has been tested under various traffic and lighting conditions to refine hazard recognition accuracy and minimise false alarms.
BSAG representatives say the AI support tool complements human judgement, helping drivers focus on decision-making rather than continuously scanning for hazards.
The initiative comes as cities explore AI applications in urban mobility, from predictive maintenance to intelligent traffic management and automated incident detection, to improve safety, efficiency and passenger experience.
Bremen’s pilot will be evaluated for scalability across additional routes and potentially other types of public transport vehicles.
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