Indian Railways has awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to implement an advanced elephant detection system on its East Coast Network. The project, spanning over 400 kilometers of railway, includes more than 30 elephant corridors. It deploys fiber optic sensing technology to safeguard both endangered elephants and train operations.
Addressing Collision Risks
Collisions between trains and elephants pose significant risks in India, leading to tragic losses for both wildlife and human safety. Sensonic's elephant detection system, referred to as the Gajraj system, aims to address this pressing issue. Utilizing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology, the system monitors vibrations through fiber optic cables laid alongside the tracks. This technology detects the movement of elephants near the railway in real-time, allowing for early warnings to be sent to railway personnel.
The Gajraj system's algorithms analyze these vibrations to identify the presence of elephants, enabling railway operators to take necessary actions such as slowing down trains or halting them to ensure the safe passage of the animals. This proactive approach is designed to prevent fatal encounters with these endangered creatures.
The project will see Sensonic's technology deployed across approximately 1,200 kilometers of fiber optic cables along the East Coast railway network, covering the states of Odisha and Jharkhand. It includes the installation of 20 sensing units strategically placed to facilitate real-time monitoring and alerting systems. This extensive setup will provide continuous data analysis and operational alerts to railway staff, including station masters and locomotive drivers.
This initiative is a result of a competitive tender process, where Indian Railways evaluated multiple technology demonstrations and performance tests. The selection of Sensonic underscores a commitment to integrating innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of railway operations on wildlife.
