Banedanmark to implement new sensor system for railway safety monitoring in Denmark

Just a week ago, record amounts of rain fell in areas including Esbjerg, causing significant traffic disruptions. Traffic ground to a halt on several highways and the motorway, while train services between Esbjerg and Varde, as well as Esbjerg and Lunderskov, were suspended due to large water accumulations in the region.

Looking ahead, the Danish railway infrastructure company, Banedanmark, is working on implementing a new system to better monitor safety and manage such situations. Anders Muus, the head of drainage, geotechnics, and climate at Banedanmark, explained that they plan to install digital sensors that will provide real-time alerts and notifications about potential water hazards on the railway lines.

Banedanmark is currently screening the entire railway network in Denmark to identify specific locations where this new system will be tested starting this year, with a rollout planned for 2025 and 2026.

The sensors are intended to offer Banedanmark a detailed local overview of rainfall along the railway tracks. Currently, weather alerts about heavy rain often cover larger areas yet may affect specific locations. The new sensors aim to clarify how severe weather or rising groundwater levels impact different sections of the railway.

“This will provide us with a better basis for deciding whether to increase train services or cancel departures,” Muus stated.

Until the new system is introduced, Banedanmark relies on standard weather reports—an approach they applied last Friday when heavy rain fell over Esbjerg, necessitating locomotive drivers to monitor water levels on the tracks. Muus expressed optimism about the future capabilities of the sensors for enhancing safety management, as they will offer a clearer picture of rainfall distribution along the railways.