Flood Monitoring System for Railways

Equipped with precision flood detection sensors and remote alert capabilities, it enables railway operators to detect rising water levels early and respond quickly—minimising disruption, enhancing safety, and reducing operational risk.

Why Flood Monitoring Is Essential for Railways

Train track flooding poses a serious threat to railway safety and operational continuity. Heavy rainfall and severe weather events are increasingly frequent, making an effective flood monitoring and warning system a critical investment. L.B. Foster’s system helps rail operators:

• Detect flooding in real time with wireless, field-deployed flood monitoring sensors

• Send automated flood alert sensor notifications to operations teams

• Replace hazardous 24/7 manual inspections with remote monitoring

• Gain historical data insights to plan mitigation and prevent repeat incidents

• Respond to flooded train tracks with confidence and control

Key Features at a Glance

• Real-time flood monitoring system with inch-level accuracy

• Wireless rail track monitoring with no direct power or outbound communication required

• Dual-level flood water alarm thresholds for early and critical event alerts

• Remote flood alert monitoring and photographic confirmation via optional PTZ camera

• Rugged flood monitoring sensors designed for harsh railway environments

• Supports up to 20 Inline Flood Poles per deployment

• 3-year battery life with low-maintenance operation

• Integration-ready with wider rail monitoring solutions and safety systems

Inch-accurate flood detection sensor designed for rail and infrastructure applications by L.B. Foster.

How the Flood Detection System Works

Our system uses advanced flood level monitoring sensors mounted on Inline Flood Poles to detect water levels with high precision.

Level 1: Flood Water Warning

Triggered when water reaches the base of the pole. A flood warning device sends an immediate alert email (with photos, if equipped) to nominated operations staff.

Level 2: Flood Water Alarm

A user-adjustable high-water threshold activates a critical alert via the flood detector system, triggering emergency protocols to reroute or halt operations.

Once water recedes, a “safe to proceed” message is automatically sent, helping teams resume services safely and swiftly. The full flood cycle is captured using our integrated water level monitoring and flood alert system.

Unlike traditional float-based systems prone to sediment build-up, our advanced sensing technology ensures system longevity and cost-effective maintenance.

Built for Harsh Rail Environments

Unlike traditional float-based systems, our solution uses external capacitance flood level sensors that resist sediment build-up and perform reliably in challenging conditions. The system requires no wired power or telecoms infrastructure—making it deployable almost anywhere.

Optional solar-powered cameras provide live visuals of flooding events, supporting emergency response and incident reviews.

This rugged flood monitoring technology is part of our Total Track Monitoring™ platform, designed to provide full visibility and control across your railway network.

Promotes greater safety by eliminating dangerous 24-hour inspections Flood Monitoring Brochure

Reduce Risk. Improve Safety. Ensure Compliance.

Flood monitoring is more than just a weather response tool—it's a core component of railway safety strategy:

• Prevent costly flood track failures and infrastructure damage

• Comply with regulatory safety frameworks like CSM and ISO 31000

• Improve operational resilience against severe weather

• Enhance network-wide safety with railway safety monitoring tools

• Deliver ROI through reduced downtime and incident prevention

L.B. Foster’s flood monitoring system in action – real-time water level tracking with wireless, solar-powered alert capability.

Why Rail Operators Trust L.B. Foster

We understand the complexity of rail operations and the risks posed by water ingress. Our flood monitoring solutions are tailored for:

• Designed specifically for freight and passenger rail networks

• Compatible with existing safety systems and signalling infrastructure

• Backed by industry certifications and safety compliance

• Deployed across high-risk flood zones and critical bridge infrastructure

• Supported by expert teams from specification to post-installation support

Take Control of Flood Risk on Your Rail Network

L.B. Foster’s flood detection systems offer unmatched visibility and control through accurate, remote sensing and alerting. Whether you're preventing flooded train tracks, managing a bridge crossing, or overseeing a vulnerable tunnel section, our flood detectors deliver peace of mind.