Overgrown vegetation in the rail corridor can create serious risks such as:
- Obstructions
- Poor visibility
- Drainage failures
- Fire hazards
- Signal interference
- Erosion
These challenges cost railway operators significant time and money. But with lidar coupled with advanced imagery, smarter, data-driven decisions can transform vegetation management.
Modern lidar and imagery systems can be used to scan the rail corridor while mounted on rail bound vehicles, hy-rail vehicles, drones or aircraft. Rail-mounted lidar provides higher resolution and accuracy as the sensor is closer to the track and infrastructure. In the case of train platforms, surveys can be carried out at speeds over 100 km/h. These compact, flexible systems deliver consistent, repeatable scans ideal for monitoring change over time with minimal disruption.
With just a single pass over the network, rail vehicle mounted lidar can efficiently address varied requirements, including mapping vegetation, simplifying operations and streamlining workflows.
AI-assisted insights for smarter maintenance
Captured point clouds and imagery provide a detailed 3D view of the corridor. AI-driven classification separates ballast, vegetation, structures, and overhead cables, enabling:
- Clearance monitoring – Identify vegetation encroachment that affects visibility, signalling, and safety.
- Risk-based intervention – Detect overgrowth near critical infrastructure, like overhead lines.
- GIS mapping – Generate precise maps linked to a linear referencing framework showing vegetation height, density, and encroachment zones.
Proactive & predictive maintenance
Combining lidar and imagery with AI analysis allows:
- Erosion prevention – Monitor vegetation on slopes and embankments to prevent stability issues.
- Growth rate tracking – Predict future overgrowth for targeted interventions.
Lidar combined with multispectral imaging sensors has the potential for invasive species mapping which would further streamline vegetation control procedures and increase operational efficiency.
Faster processing & auditability
As the demand for faster insights grows, improvements in data processing turnaround times are becoming a critical focus. Enhanced processing capabilities allow data to be analysed efficiently, leading to:
- Rapid insights – reduced time from data capture to actionable reports.
- Timely decision-making – Enable proactive responses to real growth trends.
- Post-maintenance audits – verify the effectiveness of maintenance work and compliance with regulations.
A new standard in vegetation management
Lidar and AI-driven reporting are revolutionising railway vegetation management. Better data leads to better decisions, reducing costs, improving safety, and ensuring sustainable corridor management.
Stay tuned for more on railway asset condition mapping!