Here we can see automatic detection of digging operations near a railway to provide enhanced infrastructure security. The vibrations from digging are sensed by a standard fiber optic cable running alongside the railway infrastructure and monitored automatically by Sensonic. When digging is detected automated alarms are triggered so that railway staff and security personnel can take the appropriate action. Both the digging and the exact location are clearly indicated to allow a fast and accurate response.
Digging near railway infrastructure may endanger operations and is often associated with cable theft. Rapid and accurate detection helps apprehend the criminals involved and prevent damage, delays and costs for railways.
The screen/graphs on the left highlight the vibrations being sensed and its location along the fiber. New data flows in to the top of the graph as older data flows downward in a "waterfall". The fiber optic cable being monitored may be many (tens) of kilometers long. Each impact of the digging tool with the ground is clearly visible despite the fiber optic monitoring cable being some distance away.
Our thanks go to the railway staff for their assistance making this video to demonstrate the technology in a real railway environment.
