Automated detection of trackside vegetation and storm damage along the Deutsche Bahn rail network using autonomously operated drones
Controlling and maintaining the constantly regrowing vegetation along the 33,440 km DB rail network is a time-consuming and challenging task. To fulfill the mandatory traffic safety obligations, the vegetation along the entire network must be inspected, documented, and evaluated by specialist personnel at least once a year. At the same time, rail traffic must not be disrupted during this inspection work.
The “FreeRail” project developed the scientific and technical foundations for a future, fully automated, drone-based system for digitized vegetation control and the recording of damage following severe weather events along the Deutsche Bahn rail network. The objective was, on the one hand, the conceptualization and investigation of the required technologies and operational processes. On the other hand, a functional demonstrator was to be developed and tested on a selected section of the track.
