SER to use AI-based system to prevent elephant-train collisions
Rourkela: The South Eastern Railway's Chakradharpur division will implement an Artificial Intelligence-based elephant intrusion detection system (EIDS) to prevent train accidents involving the animals on railway tracks.
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The system, successfully tested on June 15 and 16 along the Barabamboo-Chakradharpur-Lotapahar section, will be installed in elephant corridors like Jareikela, Bhalulata, Barsuan and Bimlagarh areas.
"The testing was conducted by different firms and was successful. The system, offering the best coverage for elephant protection, will be selected for installation from among the prospective bidders. This may happen within the next few months," A K Choudhury, senior divisional commercial manager of Chakradharpur, said.
EIDS employs a combination of pressure wave sensors, optical fibre cables and AI algorithms to detect approaching elephants. When elephants are detected near the tracks, the system automatically alerts railway officials, allowing them to direct approaching trains to either slow down or stop, preventing potential collisions.
For the trial run, two elephants from Vantara, the wildlife rescue in Gujarat, were brought to Chakradharpur. The testing was conducted under the supervision of railway officials from the Chakradharpur division.
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