How to stop wildlife encounters on railway tracks from happening? - Strategies for Avoiding Train Wrecks in the Wilderness
Preventing Wildlife Collisions on Railways: Hesse's Pilot Project
Railway collisions with wildlife remain a persistent issue, causing significant consequences for both animals and transportation. In an attempt to mitigate this problem, Hesse's hunters have embarked on a pilot project to investigate potential solutions. Findings from the project will be presented on Friday, at a meeting scheduled for 10:30 AM, near the ICE track Frankfurt-Cologne in Hünfelden, Taunus.
The pilot project involves installing networked wildlife warning devices that emit acoustic and optical signals before the arrival of a train. By analyzing animal behavior using wildlife cameras, the project aims to understand the reasons behind these accidents and develop effective strategies to prevent them. Initial success has been reported in a hotspot near Niedernhausen in the Taunus region, according to the state hunting association.
Wildlife collisions result in severe consequences. Besides causing substantial animal suffering, these collisions lead to emergency braking, lengthy inspections, and considerable train delays. To address this issue, best practices for preventing wildlife collisions on railway tracks often encompass four key approaches: habitat modification, technological solutions, collaboration with local hunters and landowners, and fencing and animal-friendly infrastructure.
- Habitat Modification and Landscape Design
- Wildlife corridors, such as designated crossings, underpasses, or overpasses, allow animals to safely traverse railway lines.
- Clearing dense vegetation near tracks improves visibility for train operators.
- Technological Solutions
- Early warning systems, comprising sensors and cameras, detect wildlife near tracks and alert train operators or automatic braking systems.
- Acoustic and visual deterrents, like warning sounds, flashing lights, or motion-activated devices, scare animals away from approaching trains.
- Collaboration with Local Hunters and Landowners
- Targeted hunting and population management in areas near railways reduce wildlife population densities, leading to fewer crossings.
- Education and awareness programs engage hunters and local communities to monitor wildlife movements and report hotspots.
- Fencing and Animal-Friendly Infrastructure
- Fences along railway tracks prevent animals from accessing danger zones.
- Escape ramps integrated into fenced areas allow animals to safely exit if they enter the fenced area.
Though specific details about the pilot project in Hesse's Taunus region are currently not available, a combination of habitat connectivity, technical deterrents, and community engagement has proven effective in reducing wildlife-train collisions in other locations. For accurate details about the methodologies used by Hesse's hunters, localized or unpublished reports from hunting associations or regional authorities are recommended. Based on available data, the aforementioned strategies represent the current best practices in preventing wildlife collisions at railway sites.
- The community policy in Hesse's pilot project involves studying the effectiveness of wildlife warning devices, which are networked to emit signals and analyze animal behavior, to prevent collisions with wildlife on railways.
- To reduce the impact on the environment, the project's findings will be presented to various sectors of the industry, including transportation, environmental-science, and finance, with the aim of adopting mechanisms that minimize wildlife collisions on railway tracks.
- In addition to assessing the success of the project, the state hunting association in Hesse has encouraged collaboration with local fisheries and fisheries scientists to investigate the role of habitat modification, such as creating wildlife corridors, in mitigating wildlife collisions near rivers and fisheries areas.
