GB Railfreight (GBRf), has embarked on a unique partnership with Bayer Environmental Science, Network Rail and a number of start-up companies, which will transform essential weed control and maintenance.
The collaboration will see the introduction of the first of three new‘Smart Weed System’trains to be introduced from the spring. They will have the capability to eliminate potentially dangerous weed infestations with advanced precision.
Responsible for supplying the end-to-end rail operations, GB Railfreight will provide rail expertise for this project.
Weeds will be detected using cameras mounted on the trains, which will allow only the most appropriate herbicide to be used, therefore improving the environmental footprint. Data generated will be uploaded to a cloud database using GPS software, which will enable weed control to be monitored and reported 24/7 from a central point. A GPS tracking system will also automatically shut off spray nozzles when the train approaches a‘nontreatment zone’, such as a watercourse or bridge. The second and third trains will enter service from April 2022.