Avalanche detection

Avalanches pose a significant threat to railway safety and reliability in mountainous regions. These unpredictable and powerful events can block routes even leading to derailments and damage to both rolling stock and rail infrastructure. With increasingly extreme and unpredictable weather patterns driven by climate change, the frequency of unusual snowfall and subsequent avalanche risks is rising.

Our Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology offers an innovative solution by providing real-time detection and precise location of avalanche activity across entire rail routes. By continuously monitoring the acoustic signatures of tumbling and flowing snow and ice, our system delivers vital, near-instantaneous warnings, empowering operators to take immediate action and effectively mitigate real rail risks.

This application is under development. We welcome enquiries from infrastructure owners/maintainers for further information.