Protecting Canada’s Railway Network Using Remote Sensing Technologies

Resilient railway transportation networks require sustainable, cost-effective management of service operations to meet future socio-economic needs and ensure the protection of the natural environment. Where transportation corridors traverse unstable terrain, critical rail infrastructure is at risk of damage and presents potential local and national economic, social and environmental challenges. Remote monitoring of unstable slopes and infrastructure at risk, using a range of conventional and emerging fixed and automated (i.e. remote) technologies provides the fundamental geoscience required to monitor landslides along a strategically important section of Canada’s national railway network in south-central British Columbia, Canada. Research and development by the Geological Survey of Canada and British Geological Survey provides government agencies, university partners and the national railway companies with vital information to understand geohazard risk, predict landslide movement, improve the safety, security and resilience of national transportation infrastructure, and reduce such risks to the economy, environment, natural resources and public safety.