Tended, a British company specializing in digital solutions for railway safety, is expanding its presence in the Netherlands through a partnership with Safelines BV. The collaboration aims to implement geofencing technology on a larger scale across the Dutch railway network.
Tended has entered into a partnership with Safelines BV, a company within the ATR Group and one of the leading providers of track safety solutions in the Netherlands. The agreement aims to expand the use of geofencing technology in railway projects in the country.
The partnership strengthens Tended’s presence in the Dutch market, following the collaboration that began in 2024 with the railway technology provider Dual Inventive.
Safelines BV has over two decades of experience in railway safety and is presented by Tended as the largest provider of safety solutions for trackside work in the Netherlands. Through this new partnership, the two companies will support infrastructure managers and railway contractors in digitizing safety processes that have traditionally relied on manual methods.
Digital Safety Zones on Railway Construction Sites
Tended’s technology enables the creation of digital boundaries around defined areas of a railway construction site. These can mark safe work zones, access points, or approved routes for personnel and equipment.
The system uses high-precision positioning devices attached to workers’ personal protective equipment or mounted on machinery and equipment. If a digital boundary is crossed, the device sends an alert.
According to the company, the notifications help workers stay clear of hazardous areas, enter the site only through authorized points, and make safer decisions in complex railway environments.
When devices are installed on machinery or other equipment, supervisors can track their movement on the worksite in real time. Tended states that the system improves operational control, reduces reliance on radio communication, and supports work completion checks, including by confirming the position of equipment before the line is reopened.
Virtual Markers Instead of Physical Signs
Tended’s latest solution, Virtual Worksite Marker Boards, replaces the manual process of placing physical signage boards on the worksite with digital boundaries.
The company claims that this approach can save up to one hour per shift, in addition to providing safety benefits for personnel working on or near the lines. The time saved can allow employees to be redeployed to other critical tasks.
Leo Scott Smith, CEO of Tended, said that the partnership with Safelines BV confirms the company’s commitment to improving safety. According to him, Safelines’ experience in the Dutch railway industry will help Tended deliver geofencing technology on a larger scale.
“We are excited about this next step in Tended’s evolution and look forward to improving safety together,” said Leo Scott Smith.
Safelines sees potential for safer work sites
Roel Van der Aa, commercial director at Safelines, stated that Tended’s technology has the potential to strengthen railway safety in the Netherlands.
“By combining our practical experience in track safety with Tended’s innovative digital solutions, we can help customers work more safely, more efficiently, and with better real-time visibility on the job site,” he said.
He added that the partnership reflects a shared ambition to modernize safety processes and transform railway work sites into smarter, safer spaces.
Technology already in use in the UK
Tended states that its technology is already widely used in the United Kingdom. The company’s solutions have been adopted by several routes and regions of Network Rail, the British rail infrastructure manager, as well as by major contractors, including Siemens, SPL Powerlines, and CRSA.
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