Extreme heat waves can cause significant delays and disruptions to train services, impacting commuters and commerce. When train tracks heat up, they expand and can buckle, leading to safety hazards like sun kinks. These sun kinks can force rail operators to slow down trains as a precaution, reducing the risk of derailment.
As climate change worsens heat waves, the rail industry is implementing new technologies and strategies to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures on tracks. From using remote sensors to monitor rail temperatures to installing continuous welded rail segments, railroads are taking proactive measures to ensure track stability and safety.
Additionally, advancements like painting rails white to reflect sunlight and using distributed acoustic sensing to detect track defects are being explored. By gathering more data on track temperatures and vulnerabilities, rail operators can make informed decisions about train speeds during heat waves, ultimately reducing delays and improving safety for passengers.
In the face of increasing heat waves and climate change, the rail industry is adapting to ensure smooth and efficient operations. By investing in new technologies and practices, railroads can better withstand extreme temperatures and provide reliable service to commuters and businesses alike.
