Start-up helps Alstom prevent trains hitting animals
- October 15, 2024
- Steve Rogerson

The Swedish government has given SEK3.3m to local company Flox and French train builder Alstom to test an AI system for preventing collisions between trains and wildlife.
Every year, Swedish transport administrator Trafikverket reports around 5000 animal collisions in Sweden; by reducing both accidents and damage to trains while protecting wildlife, the project has the potential to revolutionise railway safety.
“By combining our expertise in sustainable mobility with cutting-edge AI technology, we are taking an important step towards creating safer railways while protecting wildlife,” said Maria Signal Martebo, CEO of Alstom in Sweden.
Flox, a specialist in AI and image analysis, has developed a system to identify and deter wild animals from reaching railway tracks. By using tailored sound signals for different animal species, a deterrent is created that prevents accidents before they happen. This technology has already been tested and now the system will be validated in a railway environment in Sweden.
The system recognises wildlife and reacts in different scenarios in areas such as airports, traffic intersections, mines, cities and agriculture in Europe and the USA.
“Our train-based Flox technology is based on advanced AI and in-depth understanding of animal behaviour, making it possible to protect both train traffic and wildlife,” said Sara Nozkova, CEO of Flox. “Together with Alstom, we can now validate this in a railway environment and make a real difference to both safety and nature.”
The combination of Alstom’s expertise in railway signalling and Flox’s software creates a foundation for advances in railway safety. Building on this foundation, a field tests will be carried out on selected railway lines in Sweden during autumn 2024 and winter 2025. The project is supported by Swedish government agency Vinnova (www.vinnova.se) and has been selected because of its potential for national and international use.
Alstom’s Innovation Station in Stockholm opened in 2023 and was established to develop technological advances and innovations in the transport sector. It is a hub for partnerships with start-ups at the forefront of technology. The work with Flox (floxrobotics.com) is an example of collaboration that contributes to the growth of local start-ups and the development of Alstom’s offering.
“The grant from Vinnova confirms our work to drive innovation and development in rail and infrastructure,” says Gael Chosson, head of Alstom’s Innovation Station in Stockholm. “Thanks to this funding, we can deepen our involvement in the bright start-up landscape in the Nordics.”
Alstom (www.alstom.com) is the largest supplier in the Swedish train market, with over a thousand trains delivered to the Swedish railways and several large maintenance contracts. It is also leading the implementation of the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) in Sweden, both on board the vehicles and along the tracks, and is supplying a national traffic management system for Trafikverket (www.trafikverket.se).