Background

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Wildlife–train collisions have increased in Scandinavia and across Europe over the past 40 years. These collisions cause significant animal suffering and conflict with European environmental directives as well as Norwegian and Swedish transport and environmental policy goals. They also pose a major challenge for railway operators due to damage to locomotives and couplings. The problem is expected to grow as trains are upgraded and operate at higher speeds.

Research shows that few measures are truly effective in preventing wildlife–train collisions. The most common actions are vegetation clearance along railways and fencing combined with wildlife overpasses at particularly affected sections. However, wildlife bridges are very costly, creating a need for new, cost-effective solutions.

Since 2019, researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and EnviroPlanning have collaborated with Ruralis – Institute for Rural and Regional Research, the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) to develop innovative solutions to reduce wildlife collisions.

In 2020–2021, we successfully tested how wild animals respond to different sounds at feeding sites, salt licks, and tar-treated trees in the Grimsö research area and Østerdalen. The aim was to identify suitable sounds that could deter animals from railway lines.

During 2021–2022, implementation is being tested in real railway environments, both along selected railway sections in Norway and Sweden and in cooperation with train drivers on high-risk lines.

The Swedish project is funded by Interreg, the Swedish Transport Administration (Wildlife-Safe Railway II, 2019–2023), the Marie-Claire Cronstedt Foundation, and SJ. In Norway, funding is provided by Interreg, Bane NOR, the Norwegian Railway Directorate, and Norske Tog (2021–2024). The project also collaborates with professional groups including representatives from Bane NOR, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the Norwegian Forest Owners’ Association, the Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers, the University of Oslo, CargoNet, Norwegian Trains, and SJ.

Objectives

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The main objective is to test whether selected sound and light signals can deter animals from railway tracks and thereby reduce collisions.

The long-term goal is to create safer road and railway transport systems in the Nordic region, with infrastructure better integrated into the landscape so that natural animal movements can be maintained.

The project will provide a scientific basis for developing and implementing a flexible wildlife warning system that deters animals from railway areas shortly before trains pass—without restricting animal movements in the wider landscape. Carefully selected acoustic and visual signals are intended to trigger a short, controlled flight response just before the train arrives.

The method can be applied where physical measures such as fencing or wildlife bridges are not feasible, or where they need to be complemented. The system is tested primarily for moose and roe deer but may later be adapted for other species, including reindeer.

Long-term aims include:

• Reducing the number of wildlife collisions
• Improving knowledge of preventive measures
• Developing more cost-effective alternatives to fencing and wildlife bridges
• Testing and refining technical solution concepts
• Evaluating performance under different Scandinavian climates and topographies

Railway-Based Warning

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Selected railway sections are equipped with a stationary system, MASS (Movement Activated Scaring System). MASS is triggered by animal movement and plays warning sounds (different from those tested in WP1) while recording animal responses on video.

The aim is to create a reliable and controlled flight response before trains pass. Signals must not induce panic, as this could cause animals to flee in the wrong direction (e.g., along the railway or through fence openings). Ideally, animals should associate the warning signal with an approaching train.

The Swedish Transport Administration is already implementing the method during the project’s development phase. In 2022, a monitored wildlife crossing north of Upphärad (on the Trollhättan–Gothenburg line) will integrate wildlife warning systems activated when both trains and animals are detected. The same sound signals investigated in the MASS studies will be used. The system is integrated into national railway operations and maintenance and is intended as a prototype for future wildlife crossings.

Train-Based Warning

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Locomotives are equipped with a camera unit, DASS (Driver Activated Scaring System), activated by the driver when animals are observed on the track ahead. Activation saves 10–20 seconds of pre-event footage plus one minute after activation, while simultaneously playing a warning sound to deter the animal.

Animal responses to both the train and the sound are documented on video. Initially, the system records baseline behaviour without sound playback. Later, recordings are combined with various warning signals, including both new test sounds and existing train sounds (horn, braking, sanding).

The goal is to trigger a rapid, controlled, and ideally directed escape response, ensuring animals leave the railway corridor before the train approaches too closely. This research forms the basis for further technical development of onboard wildlife deterrent systems.

Drawing: Lasse Jäderberg (Grimsö)