Sensonic Uses AI to Protect Elephants on the Railway

Sensonic Wins Multimillion-Dollar Contract for Innovative Elephant Detection System for Indian Railways’ East Coast Network, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This project aims to protect endangered elephants and ensure railway safety across more than 30 elephant corridors spanning 400 km of railway tracks.

Problem of Train-Elephant Collisions

In India, train collisions with elephants are a serious issue, resulting in animal deaths and safety risks for people.

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These collisions damage both ecosystems and railway infrastructure, creating dangerous situations for all involved.

Sensonic’s Innovative System

Sensonic’s elephant detection system, known as the Gajraj system, employs advanced fiber optic and artificial intelligence technologies to address this problem. The core of the technology is Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which “listens” to the footsteps of approaching elephants through vibrations transmitted along fiber optic cables laid alongside the railway tracks.

The system detects the presence and movement of elephants in real-time, using AI algorithms to track the animals. When elephants get too close to the tracks, the system sends alerts to railway workers. These alerts allow for necessary precautions, such as reducing train speed or stopping the train, and dispatching personnel to ensure the elephants’ safe passage.

Project Benefits

Deep Desai, Managing Director of Sensonic India, highlighted the importance of collaborating with East Coast Indian Railways: “Our elephant detection system offers a comprehensive solution that protects both elephants and trains. By preventing collisions, we can significantly reduce human casualties and minimize railway disruptions, benefiting wildlife, passengers, and local communities.”

The contract involves deploying Sensonic’s system over 1200 km of fiber optic cables surrounding 400 km of railway tracks in the states of Odisha and Jharkhand. This includes installing 20 strategically placed sensor blocks and auxiliary equipment for real-time monitoring, data analysis, and alert dispatching to railway personnel.

Tender and Implementation

The contract award to Sensonic followed a competitive tender process, which included on-site technology demonstrations, evaluations, and acceptance tests conducted by Indian Railways. The implementation of this system is eagerly anticipated, as it promises to significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of railway operations in regions where wildlife and infrastructure interests intersect.

This project represents a significant advancement in applying technology to environmental protection and improving living conditions for people, demonstrating how innovation can help address complex problems at the intersection of nature and human activity.

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