Abstract Current train signaling systems are being replaced by advanced systems like Communications‐Based Train Control, European Rail Traffic Management System, and Positive Train Control, which rely on radio networks. However, railways operating in dense forest environments face unique challenges for wireless systems due to high levels of signal attenuation, reflection, and diffraction caused by dense vegetation. The lack of comprehensive real‐world data makes it difficult to design systems in such areas. This study presents measurements performed at 460 MHz in a dense forest environment and compares the results with predictions from two models, irregular terrain model and ITU‐R (International Telecommunication Union) P.1812, with and without adjustments for vegetation attenuation using ITU‐R P.833. Measurements were conducted in Brazil, using a transmitter antenna in a railway corridor and a mobile antenna on a moving locomotive. Our findings indicate that while predicting wireless performance in dense forests is feasible, the best model still had a mean absolute error of 7.43 dB, underscoring the challenges of accurate signal prediction in such environments.
Sanches et al. (Sun,) studied this question.