English

Milestone Determination for Autonomous Railway Operation

Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition 2025-10-09 v1 Machine Learning

Abstract

In the field of railway automation, one of the key challenges has been the development of effective computer vision systems due to the limited availability of high-quality, sequential data. Traditional datasets are restricted in scope, lacking the spatio temporal context necessary for real-time decision-making, while alternative solutions introduce issues related to realism and applicability. By focusing on route-specific, contextually relevant cues, we can generate rich, sequential datasets that align more closely with real-world operational logic. The concept of milestone determination allows for the development of targeted, rule-based models that simplify the learning process by eliminating the need for generalized recognition of dynamic components, focusing instead on the critical decision points along a route. We argue that this approach provides a practical framework for training vision agents in controlled, predictable environments, facilitating safer and more efficient machine learning systems for railway automation.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2510.06229,
  title  = {Milestone Determination for Autonomous Railway Operation},
  author = {Josh Hunter and John McDermid and Simon Burton and Poppy Fynes and Mia Dempster},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.06229},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

Paper submitted and partially accepted to ICART 2025, paper is 8 pages and has 1 figure, 2 tables

R2 v1 2026-07-01T06:22:08.952Z