SNCF Case Study

More than 100 DeterCam units have been deployed along a 2.6 km section of SNCF railway in the French Alps, providing coverage on both sides of the track. The project focuses on detecting and deterring wild boar, deer and foxes entering the railway.

Frequent animal crossings create collision risks and potential disruption to railway operations. The site also presents practical challenges, including theft and vandalism, limited mobile network coverage and nearby residential properties requiring careful management of deterrent sound levels.

DeterCam units were installed on both sides of the railway, with each unit directed towards its designated coverage area to detect approaching animals and discourage them from remaining on the track.

To address the site’s requirements:
• Physical protection: Lockable metal enclosures and cable locks were provided to help protect units against theft and vandalism.
• Connectivity: Higher-gain antennas were added to improve mobile reception and enable SNCF to review recorded events remotely.
• Noise management: Alarm volumes were reduced on selected units near residential properties.

The DeterCam team provided installation and technical support, completing the entire installation in just four hours.

The project aims to reduce animal presence on the railway through automated, non-lethal deterrence while maintaining reliable operation, remote event visibility and suitable sound levels near neighbouring homes.

Since installation, the system has recorded more than 600 animal detections. No animal–train collisions have been reported on the protected section during this period.

The deployment demonstrates how physical protection, improved connectivity and adjustable alarm settings can support operation at a railway site with several practical constraints. Continued monitoring will help assess deterrence effectiveness over time.

Monitoring will support further assessment of animal activity, deterrence responses and system reliability. These findings can guide adjustments to unit positioning, alarm settings and coverage, while informing discussions with SNCF about future deployment at additional wildlife hotspots.