Sri Lanka is deploying a new automated warning system aimed at preventing collisions between trains and elephants along high-risk railway sections. The Rail-Elephant Accident Prevention System (REAPS) uses a combination of sensors and artificial intelligence to detect elephant movements near railway tracks in real time, allowing train drivers crucial extra seconds to slow or stop.
The system integrates various technologies including ground-vibration and acoustic sensors, frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar, thermal imaging, and beam sensors. Powered by solar energy and equipped with long-range wireless communication, REAPS is designed to accurately identify elephant presence near the tracks and immediately relay alerts via colored warning lights along the line and signals inside the locomotive cab.
The initiative addresses 39 identified elephant-train collision hotspots spanning approximately 89 kilometers of track. Its initial phase involves installing 13 sensor systems at priority locations, beginning with a pilot covering a 14-kilometer stretch between Habarana and Hataraskotuwa, known for frequent elephant movements and associated collisions.
Experts note that physical factors such as blind curves, dense vegetation, and limited visibility during nighttime contribute to the high risk of collisions. Traditional warning methods reliant on track patrols and radio communications often lead to delayed alerts, reducing the chances of timely response by train operators.
Beyond technological intervention, the project includes complementary measures. Sri Lanka Railways plans to implement speed controls, improved signaling systems, and enhanced safety protocols. Concurrently, the Department of Wildlife Conservation will focus on habitat management strategies, such as improving food and water availability within forested areas to discourage elephant movement toward railway corridors.
REAPS is part of a broader three-year initiative under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, involving collaboration among Sri Lanka Railways, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Forest Department. The project is fully financed by People’s Bank through its corporate social responsibility fund, which has covered the costs of the initial 13 warning systems. The formal agreement for the initiative was signed on September 1.
According to project updates, research and development, initial field testing, funding arrangements, and government approvals were completed by the time the agreement was signed. Field deployment as of that date had progressed to 25%, with ongoing efforts to expand coverage and enhance system performance. A public-facing website has been launched to provide real-time information on the project’s status and outcomes.