The challenge
With a large number of onboard staff working in mobile and sometimes vulnerable environments, SJ AB needed a reliable personal alarm system to ensure employee safety across its national rail network. The solution needed to provide immediate alerts, precise location tracking, and seamless integration with internal systems, all while minimizing false alarms.
“Crystal Alarm is exceptionally skilled at handling complex integrations and ensuring high system availability without compromising development speed”
– Göran Linné, IT Development, SJ
The solution
SJ implemented Crystal Alarm across all onboard personnel. The system includes a range of features tailored to the unique needs of railway operations:
- Mobile alarms: Staff can trigger an alarm instantly via a discreet multiple-press of the phone’s ON/OFF button.
- Timed alarms: Used during solo work (e.g., shunting). If not deactivated within a set time, an alert is sent to colleagues and traffic control.
- Crystal Button: A compact Bluetooth-enabled remote used to trigger alarms, significantly reducing accidental activations.
- Toilet alarms integration: Handicap toilet alarms on X2000 trains are connected to Crystal Alarm, alerting all onboard staff and escalating to traffic control if unanswered.
- Control center interface: Traffic management centres in Stockholm and Gothenburg receive all alarms based on train location.
- Crew linkage: Alarms are shared with all colleagues on the same train through integration with SJ’s planning system.
- GPS positioning: Real-time location data is sent with alarms, viewable on a map.
- Live audio: Automatic activation of the caller’s microphone enables traffic control to assess the situation instantly.
The impact
Crystal Alarm has become a vital safety tool at SJ. Staff feel more secure, and the number of false alarms has dropped significantly due to the introduction of the Crystal Button. During real incidents, such as onboard altercations, the system has proven to be fast, reliable, and life-saving.
“The dedicated alarm buttons have greatly reduced false alarms, and our staff feels much safer. Crystal Alarm is highly supportive and responsive. I highly recommend them”
– Anders Edgren, IT SOA, SJ