As global warming escalates into an inevitable trend, our planet grapples with a slew of repercussions. July 2023 has been declared the hottest month since pre-industrial times by the World Meteorological Organization, with temperatures spiking approximately 1.5 °C above the norm. With indications of further temperature increases, the planet can expect more frequent and severe weather events, such as heatwaves, flooding, heavy rainfall, and storms, resulting in a higher vulnerability of the world's railway networks.
To navigate these changes, a closer examination of the impacts of climate change on railway infrastructure is crucial. This includes material deterioration, track stability, bridge integrity, and signalling systems. Evaluating the existing adaptation strategies adopted by railway operators allows us to identify their limitations in addressing climate-induced challenges. An analysis of case studies from various regions will provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse challenges faced by the global railway infrastructure systems due to climate change.
In line with this, it's imperative to explore forward-looking solutions to bolster the resilience of railway infrastructure systems. This might comprise the development of advanced monitoring and early warning systems to identify climate-related risks, innovative engineering techniques to increase infrastructure durability, and integration of climate change considerations into railway network design and maintenance processes.
With an aim to delve into the challenges railway infrastructure systems face in light of climate change, this Research Topic will foster the proposal of innovative, resilient solutions. This topic encourages studies contributing to developing sustainable railway infrastructure systems resilient enough to weather the trials posed by global warming. It intends to provide invaluable insights to policymakers, engineers, and stakeholders involved in planning, designing, and operating railway networks.
Possible topics include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Health and condition monitoring of railway networks.
2. Predicting the long-term performance of railway infrastructures.
3. Evaluating the vulnerability and resilience of railways in a warming climate.
4. Pre-treating and rehabilitating railway infrastructure to improve climate adaptability.
5. Designing railway networks with integrated climate change considerations.
It's time for us to bolster our railway systems' resilience and move confidently into a future of sustainable railway infrastructure, prepared for the climate changes ahead of us.
Keywords:
Improvement, Railway Maintenance, Condition Monitoring
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
As global warming escalates into an inevitable trend, our planet grapples with a slew of repercussions. July 2023 has been declared the hottest month since pre-industrial times by the World Meteorological Organization, with temperatures spiking approximately 1.5 °C above the norm. With indications of further temperature increases, the planet can expect more frequent and severe weather events, such as heatwaves, flooding, heavy rainfall, and storms, resulting in a higher vulnerability of the world's railway networks.
To navigate these changes, a closer examination of the impacts of climate change on railway infrastructure is crucial. This includes material deterioration, track stability, bridge integrity, and signalling systems. Evaluating the existing adaptation strategies adopted by railway operators allows us to identify their limitations in addressing climate-induced challenges. An analysis of case studies from various regions will provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse challenges faced by the global railway infrastructure systems due to climate change.
In line with this, it's imperative to explore forward-looking solutions to bolster the resilience of railway infrastructure systems. This might comprise the development of advanced monitoring and early warning systems to identify climate-related risks, innovative engineering techniques to increase infrastructure durability, and integration of climate change considerations into railway network design and maintenance processes.
With an aim to delve into the challenges railway infrastructure systems face in light of climate change, this Research Topic will foster the proposal of innovative, resilient solutions. This topic encourages studies contributing to developing sustainable railway infrastructure systems resilient enough to weather the trials posed by global warming. It intends to provide invaluable insights to policymakers, engineers, and stakeholders involved in planning, designing, and operating railway networks.
Possible topics include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Health and condition monitoring of railway networks.
2. Predicting the long-term performance of railway infrastructures.
3. Evaluating the vulnerability and resilience of railways in a warming climate.
4. Pre-treating and rehabilitating railway infrastructure to improve climate adaptability.
5. Designing railway networks with integrated climate change considerations.
It's time for us to bolster our railway systems' resilience and move confidently into a future of sustainable railway infrastructure, prepared for the climate changes ahead of us.
Keywords:
Improvement, Railway Maintenance, Condition Monitoring
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.