The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has begun a trial of an artificial‑intelligence solution intended to spot individuals who linger in subway stations. The test, announced on Friday, aims to give staff a tool for identifying loitering behavior that could pose security concerns.
The AI system is being evaluated across the city’s underground network after a quiet pilot phase that has lasted several months. During this period, the technology has been run in a limited capacity to assess its ability to flag people who remain in station areas beyond normal transit patterns.
STM officials say the primary goal of the trial is to enhance security within the metro system. By detecting prolonged presence in stations, the agency hopes to intervene earlier in situations that might otherwise develop into safety incidents. The focus on loitering reflects a broader effort to maintain a secure environment for commuters.
The agency has not released detailed information about the technical specifications of the AI tool or the criteria used to define loitering. The pilot remains ongoing, and the STM indicated that findings from the test will inform any decision about wider deployment. The trial represents the latest step in the transit authority’s exploration of technology-driven approaches to public‑safety challenges.