Collisions with wild animals, particularly wild boar, are described by SNCF as a recurring menace. In 2024, over 5,000 trains were delayed or cancelled in France following collisions with wild boar, deer and other species. To address this issue, ElanRail has developed, together with SNCF Réseau, the only dynamic alert system to preserve railway punctuality. Drawing on the expertise of the Nantes-based company ElanCité, a world leader in securing road networks, notably through its radar speed signs, ElanRail is progressively deploying its solution throughout the country. The aim is to become the new standard for preventing collisions between trains and wild animals.
5,000 trains affected each year by collisions with animals
Collisions with wildlife are now a major black spot in rail transport, with serious consequences for the operation of lines. According to data published by the SNCF Group, 2,562 collisions were recorded in 2024 nationwide, an increase of +76 % between 2020 and 2024.
From securing road to securing rail networks
ElanRail is the sister company of ElanCité. In 20 years, this Nantes-based company has established itself as one of the world leaders in road infrastructure safety thanks to intelligent devices such as radar speed signs and speed control traffic lights. Recognised for its sustainable performance, ElanCité was distinguished as a “2026 Long-Term Growth Champion” in the Les Echos – Statista barometer, which highlights high-growth independent French companies.
ElanCité has developed in-depth expertise in innovation and proven French industrial production capabilities. This operational excellence has enabled us to deploy over 50,000 products in 45 countries.
Emmanuelle Landru Managing Director.
Building on its experience, ElanCité has given rise to ElanRail to reduce collisions between trains and wild animals. ElanRail has thus leveraged its expertise in detection, connectivity, and autonomous, solar-powered systems to create Blue Sentinel, the dynamic alert and prevention system for train-wildlife collisions in a railway environment.
Initially, a partnership with SNCF Réseau Pays de la Loire enabled the development, in record time, of this innovative infrastructure security solution tailored to the rail sector and designed to meet on-the-ground requirements. Tested and refined to meet SNCF Réseau’s requirements, the first phase of Blue Sentinel’s testing lasted 18 months in 2024 and 2025. The result: a 90% reduction in collisions with large wildlife (wild boars, red deer, roe deer, etc.) compared to the previous period.
Blue Sentinel is currently installed in three French regions, securing six railway sites identified as being particularly exposed to animal crossings. This initial step marks the beginning of a large-scale rollout, both in France and internationally, of this unique market solution.
Blue Sentinel, innovation for railway service reliability
Blue Sentinel is based on an intelligent system of autonomous beacons installed in accident-prone zones spanning several kilometres. They detect the arrival of a train and, before it passes, trigger deterrent light and sound signals intended to alert wildlife and keep it away from the railway tracks.
With Blue Sentinel, ElanRail concretely addresses the needs of the sector and users, and contributes to environmental protection by offering:
- Increased punctuality and quality of service for rail users by reducing train delays and cancellations.
- The promise of peaceful coexistence between wildlife and trains.
- Cost control for railway network managers with optimised investment and a reduction in collision-related costs.
We are proud to have the solution to limit delays or cancellations for a very large number of trains in France and around the world. To meet this challenge, we can rely on the strengths of ElanCité, developed over the past 20 years: a culture of innovation, agility, and industrial production capacity. We are at the beginning of a beautiful adventure that combines useful innovation and real impact.
Michael Rublon – Head of ElanRail
