Context
Train–elephant collisions along railway lines passing through elephant habitats require preventive solutions, combining physical infrastructure interventions and technology-driven early warnings.
Solutions
A. Infrastructure-based solutions
1. Avoidance-first planning
• Align or redesign railway lines to bypass elephant habitats and migration corridors.
2. Wildlife crossing structures
• Construction of underpasses, overpasses, flyovers, and tunnels at elephant crossing points.
• Structures must be wide, open, and aligned with natural movement routes.
3. Strategic fencing
• Fencing along high-risk rail stretches to:
• Prevent elephants from entering tracks.
• Guide herds towards designated crossings.
B. Technology-based solutions
1. AI-based early warning systems
• Artificial Intelligence-enabled systems to detect elephant presence near tracks.
• Provide real-time alerts to train drivers for slowing or stopping trains.
2. Sensor-based detection
• Use of infrared cameras, acoustic sensors, and seismic sensors.
• Effective during night-time and low-visibility conditions.
3. Movement tracking & data use
• Camera trapping and GPS telemetry to map elephant movement patterns.
• Helps identify precise hotspots for crossings and fencing.
