Indian Railways Initiates AI-Based Surveillance to Safeguard Elephants on Tracks

• 06 Dec 2023

In a significant move to mitigate elephant fatalities on railway tracks, Indian Railways pioneers an innovative solution: AI-Based Surveillance System.

Key Points

• AI System to Alert Loco Pilots: The Indian Railways introduces an AI-based surveillance system to promptly alert loco pilots about the presence of elephants on tracks, addressing a critical safety concern.
• Project Cost and Implementation: Allocating Rs 181 crore, the initiative aims to install the AI-based surveillance system along 700 kilometers of tracks passing through crucial forest areas, providing a comprehensive solution to the issue.
• Successful Implementation and Enhancements: Trialled on a 150-kilometer stretch in Assam, the system demonstrated an impressive 99.5% accuracy in detecting elephants on tracks.
• The technology, credited with saving numerous elephants, is slated for expansion in collaboration with forest departments.
• Elimination of Elephant Deaths in Northeast Corridors: Building on success, the Northeast Frontier Railway reported zero train-elephant collisions in 11 corridors after the system's introduction, emphasizing its effectiveness.
• Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Milestones: Introduced in December 2022, the IDS sounded 9,768 alerts in eight months, averting potential collisions in elephant corridors and establishing its pivotal role.
• How Does the System Work? Every time an elephant steps on the track, the system generates an alert to the train controller, station master, train drivers, and other stakeholders who take precautionary measures to avoid imminent danger.
• Impact and Future Prospects: The success of the IDS brings hope to significantly reduce elephant casualties due to train collisions, leveraging the optical fibre cable laid beneath the tracks for effective implementation.
• The system's ability to detect and locate moving elephants up to 5 meters from the fibre optical cable marks a substantial advancement in wildlife protection on railway tracks.