Taiwan Railway Establishes Cross-Agency Slope and Debris Flow Defense System on North-Link Line

Taiwan Railway Corporation introduced a cross-agency slope flood and debris flow defense system on the North-Link Line following the 0403 Hualien earthquake and subsequent typhoons. With fractured geological strata producing extensive loose rock debris, the North-Link Line experienced 11 service interruptions or precautionary suspensions due to slope hazards in year 113. To address concurrent road-rail disruption risks, Taiwan Railway established real-time coordination and data-sharing platforms with the Highway Bureau, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, and Hualien County Government, integrating highway CCTV feeds and hydrometric monitoring data. Field protection includes AI rockfall vision alert systems, debris flow overflow sensors at Dachingshui Bridge, and 3,895 meters of physical sensor-barrier netting between Heping and Chongde, alongside defined clearing responsibilities within 100 meters upstream and downstream of railway bridges. In March of year 115, the Executive Yuan approved a 7.798 billion yuan safety improvement program to execute restoration, remediate 35 slopes and 11 river-crossing bridges, and install foreign-object intrusion alarm systems across 23 railway sections.

Key takeaways

• The North-Link Line recorded 11 interruptions or precautionary suspensions in year 113, including the destruction and near five-month reconstruction of the Xiaochingshui River Bridge.
• A cross-agency liaison group links railway monitoring rooms with Highway Bureau CCTV feeds and government rainfall stations for coordinated early warning.
• Site defenses feature AI rockfall cameras, water level gauges, bridge pressure sensors, and 3,895 meters of sensor barriers between Heping and Chongde.
• In March of year 115, the Executive Yuan approved a 7.798 billion yuan plan covering slope stabilization, bridge clearing, and 23 intrusion alarm setups.