This article explains how the EU-funded SUNRISE project uses drone surveillance and artificial intelligence to protect Europe’s rail networks from climate-driven hazards such as floods, landslides and wildfires.
Drawing on final pilot tests in Spain, Slovenia and Italy, the initiative demonstrates a practical, data-driven approach to early detection, preventive maintenance and improved rail resilience across the continent.
SUNRISE: a modern response to climate threats on rail infrastructure
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events that damage tracks, embankments and signalling equipment.
The SUNRISE project was conceived to address these mounting risks by combining remote sensing, high-definition imaging and AI to monitor vulnerable corridors in near real time.
How the system detects problems before they escalate
Drone surveillance equipped with high-definition cameras flies programmed routes along critical sections of rail lines, collecting imagery and sensor data that reveal anomalies such as rockfalls, fallen trees or erosion.
These aerial assets can reach areas that are hazardous or logistically difficult for ground crews, and they can do so frequently and with consistent quality.
AI-driven processing analyses incoming imagery to identify threats automatically.
Algorithms flag deviations from baseline conditions, prioritize alerts based on severity, and feed structured warnings to infrastructure managers so that preventive measures can be taken before incidents become disasters.
Pilot tests across Spain, Slovenia and Italy: what the trials showed
The SUNRISE consortium completed final pilot tests in 2025 with national rail infrastructure managers, validating workflows for data capture, AI inference and operational response.
Trials focused on realistic scenarios — rockfalls, tree obstructions and slope instability — common to Mediterranean and Alpine routes.
Key operational results and advantages
The pilots demonstrated that integrated drone-AI monitoring can deliver faster, more accurate detection of hazards than traditional visual inspections alone.
This capability translates into measurable benefits for rail operators and the travelling public.
Implications for policy, operations and future scaling
From my perspective after 30 years in rail engineering and operations, SUNRISE exemplifies the pragmatic integration of technology into asset management.
What comes next for rail resilience in Europe
Key next steps include harmonizing data standards across infrastructure managers. Scaling AI models for diverse geographic conditions and developing regulatory frameworks for routine drone operations along active lines are also priorities.
Collaboration between engineers, data scientists and policymakers will be essential to unlock the full potential of these systems.
The SUNRISE team will present detailed findings at the Intelligent Rail Summit 2025 in Slovenia. This will offer a blueprint for other nations to follow.
The combination of AI and human expertise will become central to protecting rail networks from climate risks while improving safety and reducing costs.
Here is the source article for this story: Drones and AI: ‘A winning combination to detect railway climate threats early’