Railways Boost AI Surveillance to Safeguard Wildlife Along Tracks

For the wildlife conservation and railway safety Indian Railways has strengthened its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based wildlife protection system along railway tracks. The initiative aims to reduce accidents involving elephants, lions, tigers, and other wildlife by providing real time alerts to train operators, particularly in forest and corridor areas.

AI Based Wildlife Protection System

The strengthened system uses a combination of AI enabled cameras and advanced sensor technologies to detect animal movement near railway tracks. Once wildlife presence is detected, alerts are generated well in advance, giving train drivers sufficient time to slow down or stop.

Key technological components include,

• AI-based cameras that alert loco pilots nearly 500 metres in advance
• Intrusion Detection System (IDS) integrated with a Distributed Acoustic System (DAS)
• Real-time monitoring and alert dissemination to loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms

This system is particularly effective in detecting elephants, whose movements produce distinctive ground vibrations captured by acoustic sensors.

Implementation and Coverage

• The AI-based system has already been implemented across 141 route kilometres on the Northeast Frontier Railway which is a region highly prone to elephant train collisions.
• Encouraged by its successful performance, Indian Railways has awarded additional tenders to extend the system to 981 more route kilometres.
• With this expansion, the total coverage will increase to 1,122 route kilometres across sensitive wildlife zones in the country.

Significance of the Initiative

• The strengthened AI based system is important for several reasons.
• It significantly enhances railway operational safety, protects endangered wildlife, and supports India’s broader environmental commitments.
• By using real-time data and automated alerts, the system enables timely preventive action rather than reactive responses after accidents occur.

Key Takeaways

• Indian Railways has strengthened its AI-based wildlife protection system on railway tracks.
• AI cameras and acoustic sensors detect animal movement and issue real-time alerts.
• System currently operational on 141 route km in Northeast Frontier Railway.
• Additional 981 route km approved, extending total coverage to 1,122 route km.
• Alerts are sent to loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms.
• Initiative supports wildlife conservation, railway safety, and sustainable development.

Question

Q. Which system is integrated with the Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?

A. Radar Tracking System
B. Satellite Monitoring System
C. Distributed Acoustic System (DAS)
D. GPS Navigation System