Every year, thousands of accidents occur between trains and animals. In addition to suffering, it costs society many billions of kronor in hospital, insurance, and repair costs.
Over the past year, the Swedish Transport Administration has been testing a new and, according to TV4, globally unique method that involves scaring away animals along the tracks using sound.
At the passage, we have a thermal camera that detects wildlife and then a loudspeaker system is activated. So, if an elk enters the area, it is scared away from here, says Johan Rydlöv, an expert at the Swedish Transport Administration, to the channel.
After experimenting with guitar solos and high-pitched signals without the desired effect, the researchers who developed the method have found out what animals perceive as most threatening: a human voice or a strong hiss.
No wildlife accidents have occurred at the test site over a year and a half where the method has been tested. Now, the hope is to be able to roll out the system at more locations in the country.
