Russian Scientists Create 3D Terrain Model Along the Baikal-Amur Railway — and Test a New Polymer for Environmental Cleanup
Using drone mapping and advanced materials science, researchers are reshaping how Russia monitors and protects its transport corridors.
A multidisciplinary expedition organized by the Russian Geographical Society (RGS) has completed an ambitious study of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) — one of the country’s most important transport routes. The team, which included geologists, ecologists, sociologists, and engineers, built detailed 3D models of the terrain using drone imagery and historical aerial data.
The models revealed new erosion zones, traces of industrial impact, and changes in the landscape over the past two decades. Based on these findings, scientists are assembling a unified geoinformation system (GIS) containing digital maps, satellite images, and data on active faults, permafrost, and BAM infrastructure.
Planning for the Future of Siberia’s Transport Arteries
The data will help guide regional development and infrastructure modernization, factoring in environmental risks. According to Natalia Belyakova, director of the RGS’s Department of Expeditionary Activity, the project “creates a scientific foundation for the sustainable and safe development of Russia’s major transport arteries.”
Similar research is planned along the Trans-Siberian Railway, aimed at building a comprehensive digital model of eastern Russia’s landscapes and infrastructure.
A New Polymer for On-Site Cleanup
In addition to mapping, the expedition successfully tested an innovative polymer sorbent designed to remove petroleum products from railway gravel directly on-site. Field trials showed 98% efficiency, offering a practical solution for reducing environmental pollution along rail corridors.
Together, these achievements illustrate how digital technologies and materials science are converging to make even the most remote parts of Russia’s infrastructure cleaner, safer, and more sustainable.
