Indian Railways to use AI-powered monitoring for Elephant-conservation in the Northeast Frontier region
NFR deploys AI surveillance in Elephant corridors across northeastern states, parts of West Bengal and north Bihar for wildlife safety.
artificial intelligence
Highlights
- Railways embrace AI-driven IDS to safeguard Elephants & wildlife
- Real-time alerts provide 30-40 minutes advance notice of elephant movements
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), serving northeastern states, as well as parts of West Bengal and north Bihar, has implemented an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based surveillance system in Elephant corridors to reduce train-related Elephant fatalities.
In a recent collaboration, NFR partnered with RailTel Corporation of India Ltd., to fit an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to avoid train-elephant collisions and enhance disaster prevention measures.
AI-powered IDS to protect Elephants by alerting train operators
Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR, highlighted the Railways' proactive approach to safeguarding wildlife, particularly Elephants, near their tracks. The IDS, which proved successful in pilot projects in West Bengal's Chalsa – Hasimara section and Assam's Lanka – Hawaipur section, will gradually expand to cover all Elephant corridors within NFR's jurisdiction.
This cutting-edge system relies on AI and leverages existing optical fibres as sensors to identify wild animal movements, including Elephants, and instantly alert control offices, station masters, gatekeepers, and train operators.
It operates on the principle of dialysis scattering phenomenon, utilising fibre optic-based acoustic technology to detect the real-time presence of Elephants within a 60 km stretch.
More benefits of IDS
Moreover, the IDS system goes beyond Elephant protection; it can identify rail fractures, unauthorised trespassing, and potential disasters like landslides or unauthorised digging near railway tracks. Its success in saving numerous Elephant lives near tracks has been substantial, considering the increase in Elephant corridors from 11 in 2012 to 80 in recent years.
The IDS offers a substantial advantage by providing a 30-40 minute advance notice of Elephant movements, triggering audiovisual alarms for instant alerts to station masters, the central control system, and level crossing gates. This real-time capability not only safeguards the animals but also enhances railway mobility in NFR's region.
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