Indian Railways is reinforcing its commitment to wildlife protection by strengthening its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems designed to prevent animal collisions on railway tracks. The initiative aims to safeguard animals like elephants, lions, and tigers by providing timely alerts to train operators.
The core of this enhanced system is the AI-enabled Intrusion Detection System (IDS), which utilizes a Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) to detect the presence of animals near railway tracks. This system functions by using optical fibers as sensors to identify animal movements, sending real-time alerts to loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms. These alerts, delivered approximately half a kilometer in advance, allow for prompt preventive actions, such as slowing down or stopping the train. The AI software can monitor movements across a 60 km stretch of track.
The IDS operates on the principle of dialysis scattering phenomenon, employing a fiber optic-based acoustic system to sense the real-time presence of elephants and other wildlife. By analyzing vibrations caused by animal movements, the system can detect potential threats and issue warnings 30-40 minutes in advance. Beyond preventing collisions, the IDS can also identify rail fractures, landslides, and unauthorized digging, thereby improving overall disaster response capabilities.
Indian Railways initially tested the IDS in Assam and West Bengal, achieving encouraging results. Following the success of these pilot projects, further tenders were awarded to expand the system across 981 route kilometers, bringing the total coverage to 1,122 route kilometers. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has already implemented the system across 141 route kilometers to prevent elephant collisions.
In addition to the AI-based IDS, Indian Railways is exploring other measures to protect wildlife, including the use of thermal vision cameras to detect animals during nighttime or periods of low visibility. These cameras alert loco pilots to the presence of wildlife on the tracks. The railways are also using "honey bee buzzer" devices to repel elephants and other animals from the tracks.
These efforts have contributed to a significant reduction in elephant fatalities, decreasing from 26 in 2013 to 12 in 2024. The implementation of AI-powered systems reflects Indian Railways' commitment to balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation. By integrating technology with environmental protection efforts, Indian Railways is setting a new standard for safe and sustainable train operations in areas with significant wildlife populations.
