Alstom, has together with Flox received SEK 3.3 million in funding to conduct field tests of a groundbreaking AI system that prevents collisions between trains and wildlife. Every year, Trafikverket reports around 5,000 animal collisions in Sweden, and by reducing both accidents and damage to train vehicles while protecting wildlife, the project has the potential to revolutionise railway safety.
"By combining our expertise in sustainable mobility with cutting-edge AI technology, we are taking an important step towards creating safer railways while protecting wildlife,"
says Maria Signal Martebo, CEO of Alstom Sweden.
A system has been developed to identify and deter wild animals from reaching railway tracks. By using tailored sound signals for different animal species, a deterrent is created that prevents accidents before they happen. This technology has already been successfully tested and now the system will be validated in a railway environment in Sweden. The system knowledges wildlife and reacts in different scenarios in other areas such as airports, traffic intersections, mines, cities, and agriculture in both Europe and the United States
"The grant from Vinnova confirms our work to drive innovation and development in rail and infrastructure. Thanks to this funding, we can deepen our involvement in the bright startup landscape in the Nordics." says Gael Chosson, Head of Alstom's Innovation Station in Stockholm.
Alstom is the largest supplier in the Swedish train market, with over a thousand trains delivered to the Swedish railways and several large maintenance contracts. Alstom is also leading the implementation of the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) in Sweden, both on board the vehicles and along the tracks, and is also supplying the new national traffic management system for the Swedish Transport Administration.
Image credit: iStock
