Edinburgh Trams have now been using LeadMind Automatic Vehicle Speed Monitoring (AVSM) on the network for eight months following its full implementation on 12TH January 2026. This is a safety mechanism designed to prevent trams overturning due to over speeding and is Edinburgh Trams response to the RAIB’s recommendation from their report into the Sandilands accident on London Trams.
The system uses a combination of odometry and GPS signals to track exactly where trams are on the tramway. It continually records the speed trams are travelling at and plots them against a route map to ensure trams are travelling at the correct speed for the location. If trams are found to be over-speeding, or if trams are approaching a curve above the determined safe speed, the driver receives a visual and audible warning via a control panel display screen in the cab. If the driver then fails to adjust their speed within a reasonable time, they receive a visual and audible alarm, and the automatic braking system will engage to bring the tram to a stop.
Any brake application through the LeadMind AVSM system is notifiable to the Operations Control Centre. The system includes a web-based program, capable of viewing the live location and condition of trams on the network. It can also be used to investigate the causation of all LeadMind AVSM activated emergency brake applications.
An early version of the software was trialled in December 2024 – issuing warnings without applying the emergency brake – to assess the system’s performance and allow drivers and controllers to become used to the system before its launch.
Then throughout 2025 there was collaboration between tram drivers, driver trainers, controllers, engineering management, and CAF which led to the development of the speed profile to streamline the system, making it both safer and more reliable. The data supplied by the system allows the team to assess system functionality, driver performance and emergency brake hot spot locations among other functions.
David Lowe, Managing Director at CAF UK, said: “The implementation of LeadMind Automatic Vehicle Speed Monitoring (AVSM) demonstrates how collaboration between operators, maintainers and technology providers can deliver meaningful improvements in operational safety. CAF is proud to have worked alongside Edinburgh Trams to implement this important safety enhancement and remains committed to supporting its continued development as operational experience helps inform the ongoing refinement and optimisation of the system, building on the strong foundations already established.”
Sarah Singh, Tram Director at Edinburgh Trams, commented: “We are always striving to improve driving standards and ensure the highest possible levels of safety for colleagues and customers alike. We’re pleased that the introduction of LeadMind Automatic Vehicle Speed Monitoring (AVSM) has been so successful, thanks to the dedication of our operational and engineering teams, and we are proud to remain at the forefront of new technology.
“Our drivers, as well as other operational colleagues from across the business, work incredibly hard to ensure passenger safety, and we’re grateful for their hard work and dedication as we have implemented and refined LeadMind AVSM.
“We’ll continue to work with CAF and our internal colleagues alike to develop the system, ensuring we’re doing everything in our power to prevent incidents”.