In particular, rail transport is deeply affected by climatic adversities such as storms, floods, high temperatures and fires, which can cause delays in the already complex railway traffic.
Running on pre-established paths, when a train loses its assigned track, the entire circulation is disrupted. Any small traffic slowdown can cause train cancellations and delays and therefore blocking deliveries. For this reason, the key players in transportation and logistics rely very often on road transport for always guaranteed fast and scheduled delivery. However, railways represent the backbone of the European transport system with a fundamental role in the exchange of goods, contributing to developing the global economy and mobility.
In recent years, climate change has become one of the biggest challenges for the rail sector. In Austria, several train cancellations due to storms were recorded, with 716 unscheduled stops due to bad weather. In addition, rising temperatures are leading to rail distortions and deformations. Austria has therefore started adaptation works to protect power lines from overheating. Following heavy rains and sudden floods, the United Kingdom is also investing in the renewal of railway infrastructure to cope with the difficulties caused by extreme weather conditions. All this without forgetting the recent floods in Northern Italy which blocked trains, causing significant traffic disruptions.
The impacts and consequences of climate change on the rail transport system are a current problem that directly affect the entire sector.
