Foreword
Eureka! The first book on railway ecology has arrived. This pioneering edited
volume, written by an international cast, brings together and synthesizes today’s
“state-of-the-science and application.” Building on the diverse European railway
network, the approach is global, with work also from North America, South
America, and Asia. The ecological effects of railways are central, while the mitigation of effects appears throughout the book.
Rich scientific highlights are compelling: wildlife mortality patterns; effects on
biodiversity; the barrier effect; lots on ungulates, bears, bats, songbirds, and
waterbirds. But there is also information on plants, elephants, amphibians, kites,
gazelles, and many more, e.g., detecting mortality “hotspots,” and rail-side (verge)
habitats, as well as case studies worldwide.
Mitigations to minimize impacts emerge as a motif: wildlife crossing approaches; noise reduction; reducing outward noise propagation; alerting wildlife >2
seconds before an expected animal-train collision; reducing avian collisions and
electrocution by the elevated net of wires; restricting access; and decreasing
vibrations are also discussed in detail.
Many nations are actively adding track, while high-speed trains are spreading…
for good reason. Rail transport is more efficient than road traffic at moving people
and goods, and there is more fuel efficiency; less greenhouse gas emission; less
unhealthful air pollution; less traffic congestion; and less land consumed. Most
importantly, it is also safer.
Furthermore, people personally depend on, and are affected by, trains. Trains take
commuters to work daily. Every day we depend on long freight trains successfully
carrying coal and oil. Many of us ride trains to other cities. Small towns often wither
without trains stopping at their stations. Industry and jobs depend on trains bringing heavy
resources, such as grain, coal, and minerals. We also buy heavy products, including autos,
brought by train from factories. Train noise and their vibrations degrade our neighborhoods near the tracks. Infrequent chemical spills pollute water bodies and neighborhoods.
Children wave at the engineer, and gleefully count the wagons/cars of long freight trains.
Railway ecology really differs from road ecology. Thus much wildlife moves
along rail corridors. At any location, noise from the trains is usually infrequent, loud,
v
Eureka! The first book on railway ecology has arrived. This pioneering edited
volume, written by an international cast, brings together and synthesizes today’s
“state-of-the-science and application.” Building on the diverse European railway
network, the approach is global, with work also from North America, South
America, and Asia. The ecological effects of railways are central, while the mitigation of effects appears throughout the book.
Rich scientific highlights are compelling: wildlife mortality patterns; effects on
biodiversity; the barrier effect; lots on ungulates, bears, bats, songbirds, and
waterbirds. But there is also information on plants, elephants, amphibians, kites,
gazelles, and many more, e.g., detecting mortality “hotspots,” and rail-side (verge)
habitats, as well as case studies worldwide.
Mitigations to minimize impacts emerge as a motif: wildlife crossing approaches; noise reduction; reducing outward noise propagation; alerting wildlife >2
seconds before an expected animal-train collision; reducing avian collisions and
electrocution by the elevated net of wires; restricting access; and decreasing
vibrations are also discussed in detail.
Many nations are actively adding track, while high-speed trains are spreading…
for good reason. Rail transport is more efficient than road traffic at moving people
and goods, and there is more fuel efficiency; less greenhouse gas emission; less
unhealthful air pollution; less traffic congestion; and less land consumed. Most
importantly, it is also safer.
Furthermore, people personally depend on, and are affected by, trains. Trains take
commuters to work daily. Every day we depend on long freight trains successfully
carrying coal and oil. Many of us ride trains to other cities. Small towns often wither
without trains stopping at their stations. Industry and jobs depend on trains bringing heavy
resources, such as grain, coal, and minerals. We also buy heavy products, including autos,
brought by train from factories. Train noise and their vibrations degrade our neighborhoods near the tracks. Infrequent chemical spills pollute water bodies and neighborhoods.
Children wave at the engineer, and gleefully count the wagons/cars of long freight trains.
Railway ecology really differs from road ecology. Thus much wildlife moves
along rail corridors. At any location, noise from the trains is usually infrequent, loud,
v