Vegetation control as a means of ensuring safe rail operations 0 Environment and 100% green electricity To the Strong Rail strategy
In 2020, 1.3 t of herbicides in total were applied to our tracks, and with a track length of about 61,000 km, about 4 % of the tracks were treated. The amount applied is equal to 0.5 kg/km of track. As flazasulfuron, flumioxazin and glyphosate were applied, only substances that have been approved by the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit; BVL) specifically for use in the vicinity of tracks were used during the treatment. Between 2020 and 2022, we are developing and testing alternative methods and application strategies. As a result, the amount of glyphosate used can vary significantly. In addition, we only use glyphosate where we have the necessary official permits. For this reason, too, the amount used may vary.
Protecting birds from catenary systems
We erected overhead catenary systems that protect birds no. 33 against electrocution. This is achieved in part by using longer insulators. We recorded about 3,400 short-circuit events caused by animals in 2020. About 92 % of them involved birds and about 8 % involved small mammals. To improve the situation, bird protection measures are carried out on the insulators as part of the full overhead line inspection. Traction current lines in areas that have a high risk of bird collisions are also being made safe, for example by fitting special bird diverters no. 140.
