Posing a significant challenge to rail infrastructure, climate change can increase the risks of flooding, landslides and extreme weather events. All of which can impact rail services damage tracks and bridges and pose risks to passenger safety.
In the UK we are not immune to these effects and certain regions are particularly susceptible to landslides affecting the rail network. Network Rail stated in their Third Adaption Report 2021 that: Between 2006/07 and 2020/21, weather related incidents caused over 322,000 delay events, around 26 million delay minutes and over £1 billion of Schedule 8 compensation payments.
Landslides are a common consequence of heavy rainfall and soil erosion, both of which are expected to increase with climate change, which will present a big challenge for the rail industry. When slopes become saturated, they can give way, leading to debris flows or mass movements that can damage rail tracks and infrastructure. In the UK, areas with steep terrain, susceptible soils and high precipitation are more prone to landslides.
One region in the UK that is particularly susceptible to landslides affecting the rail network is the South West region of the country, including areas such as Devon and Cornwall. The combination of hilly terrain, unstable soils, and intense rainfall in this region makes it vulnerable to landslides that can impact rail operations.
In fact, at the beginning of 2023 a huge landslide in Hampshire caused major train disruption on one of the main train tracks servicing the South West to London. In August 2020, all six vehicles of a passenger train derailed after striking a landslip near Carmont in Scotland, resulting in one passenger fatality.
The South East of England, including parts of Kent and Sussex, is another region that faces landslide risks due to its geology and susceptibility to heavy rainfall. To mitigate the impacts of climate change on rail infrastructure, it is crucial to adapt and enhance rail systems. Here are some key measures that can be implemented:
- Robust infrastructure design: Rail networks should be built with climate resilience in mind, considering the potential for increased precipitation, extreme weather events and landslides. This includes designing tracks, bridges and tunnels to withstand higher rainfall intensities, ensuring adequate drainage systems and implementing slope stabilisation measures.
- Early warning systems: Developing advanced monitoring systems can help detect potential landslides and extreme weather events. These systems can provide real-time information, allowing rail operators to take precautionary measures, such as suspending services or implementing speed restrictions when landslides are imminent.
RailSense’s Intelli-LinkTM Smart Sensors empower rail networks to detect physical and environmental factors such as precipitation and displacement to continually measure the safety of infrastructure.
- Vegetation management: Vegetation can play a role in stabilising slopes and reducing erosion. Implementing effective vegetation management practices along railway embankments and cuttings can help prevent soil instability and landslides
- Maintenance and inspection: Regular inspections of rail infrastructure are crucial to identify vulnerabilities and proactively address potential risks. Enhanced maintenance practices, including slope stabilisation measures, geotechnical investigations, and track monitoring, can help prevent or minimise the impact of landslides on the rail network.
Predictive maintenance solutions from RailSense leverages data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and sensor technology to identify potential failures before they become a problem. By identifying and rectifying track issues before they become critical, rail operators can significantly improve the safety of their operations and provide a secure environment for passengers and employees alike.
- Collaboration and information sharing: Effective communication and collaboration between rail operators, government agencies, and climate experts are essential for sharing knowledge, best practices, and resources to adapt rail systems to climate-related risks. This includes integrating climate projections and risk assessments into infrastructure planning and investment decisions.
By implementing these adaptation strategies, rail systems can become more resilient to climate change, reducing the impacts of flooding, landslides and extreme weather events on rail infrastructure and ensuring the safety and reliability of rail services.
RailSense has emerged as a leader in providing innovative solutions for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Our cutting-edge technology combines sensor data, machine learning algorithms and real-time analytics to monitor the health of tracks and predict potential failures.
By analysing this data, systems can detect anomalies and issue early warnings, allowing maintenance teams to intervene and rectify issues before they impact operations. Systems can be retrofitted to existing tracks, making it easy for rail operators to adopt predictive maintenance practices without significant disruptions or capital investments.
RailSense products:
VoidSense®, a technology that senses voids and under-track movement. By continuously monitoring the stability of tracks, it helps identify potential track bed issues that could compromise rail safety.
With TempSense®, rail operators can track critical rail temperature (CRT) in real-time, allowing them to take necessary precautions in extreme weather conditions.
BuckleSense® is designed to detect possible hot-weather buckle occurrences, which can cause severe accidents if not addressed promptly.
GaugeSense® is a remote monitoring solution that measures changes in gauge and track geometry. By keeping a close eye on these parameters, rail operators can identify anomalies and take corrective measures to prevent accidents.
MultiSense® allows for multiple wireless sensor configurations over a wide area of rail, providing comprehensive coverage for enhanced safety monitoring.
TrackWater® is a groundbreaking solution that offers flooding alerts and monitors silt levels to ensure proper drainage. Flooding poses a significant threat to rail infrastructure, and timely alerts can help operators take necessary precautions and prevent damage.
By leveraging RailSense’s advanced technologies, rail operators can improve rail safety and enhance reliability, while reducing maintenance costs. Remote, real-time monitoring allows for early detection of potential issues, enabling proactive maintenance interventions. This approach minimises service disruptions, optimises asset longevity, and ultimately saves lives.
The importance of rail safety cannot be overstated. Protecting lives and valuable assets is a shared responsibility that requires a proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by rail networks. By investing in innovative solutions and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like those offered by RailSense, rail operators can create a safer, more reliable transportation system that benefits everyone.
Source: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/1999/rail-safety-2020-2021.pdf