Railways facing the challenges of climate change and extreme weather conditions Two UIC projects at a glance “ARISCC” and “Winter & Railways”
Alex Veitch, UIC, Sustainability Unit Enno Wiebe, UIC, Rail System Department – Rolling Stock
Overview ARISCC Adapting rail infrastructure to climate change Alex Veitch UIC Sustainibilty Unit
Winter & Railways Enno Wiebe Rail System Department – Rolling Stock
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Overview ARISCC Adapting rail infrastructure to climate change Alex Veitch UIC Sustainibilty Unit
Winter & Railways Enno Wiebe Rail System Department – Rolling Stock
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
ARISCC ¾ Two-year project funded by UIC members ¾ European scope ¾ Aims ¾ Find and disseminate good practice for weather event / natural hazard management ¾ Find good examples of how railways are assessing infrastructure vulnerability ¾ Understand how railways can incorporate longer term climate predictions into infrastructure management and planning process ¾ Propose new management approaches to bring these issues together ¾ Disseminate results
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Natural hazard management approach that can adapt to climate change
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Weather – now and past ¾ Today’s weather: Generic weather warnings are insufficient. OBB have invested in more detailed weather warning systems. ¾ Past weather: It is useful to catalogue extreme weather events & impact on rail, e.g. SBB “DERI NR” database ¾ This data can be used to create hazard maps showing impact on rail infrastructure
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Mapping natural hazards ¾ ARISCC team recommend three-stage process ¾ 1st Level: Screening – Identification of those parts of the network with a high exposure to natural hazards (priority areas) ¾ 2nd Level: Investigation of priority areas by modelling efforts, development of maps of potential natural hazards ¾ 3rd Level: Detailed investigation of priority areas by on site inspections and development of high resolution natural hazard maps
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Natural hazard management good practice ¾ ARISCC provides a broad collection of good practice examples for integrated natural hazard management
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Rotterdam, /20 May 2011 Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions 20.05.2011
Climate models – predicting future weather ¾ Regional climate models can provide indications of likely weather patterns ¾ Models for the Rhine Valley and West Coast Main Line predict: Higher average temperatures and increased likelihood of heat waves More rain particularly in winter. Increased chance of flooding. Storms and gales – more difficult and controversial but significant increases in frequency and intensity of storms are possible
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Rotterdam, /20 May 2011 Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions 20.05.2011
Developing adaptation strategies ¾ The analysis summarized above can be used to develop an approach to adaptation. The ARISCC team recommend the following: ¾ Produce Vulnerability and Risk Maps Risks to asset integrity, environment, operation, safety ¾ Priority setting Risk classes, cost/benefit assessment, cost scenarios ¾ Adaptation measures & strategies Alarm systems Monitoring systems Protective measures Change of standards Relocation of assets
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Rotterdam, /20 May 2011 Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions 20.05.2011
Case Study: West Coast Main Line ¾ Identifying vulnerabilities Expert workshops to identify main weather and climate factors and their impact on rail infrastructure. This resulted in a table of risks structured by type of climate impact. ¾ Analysis of current and future vulnerabilities Investigate the impact of climate change on performance and safety in more detail. Model most important hazards e.g. heat waves, river and surface flooding, landslips and storm throw. ¾ Vulnerability maps for the West Coast Main Line will be developed. Other outputs will include
Recommendations for “quick wins” for adaptation, and procurement options for dealing with current weather impacts
Preliminary recommendations for asset management policy up to 2040s
Specification for a tool to evaluate policy options for adaptation and weather resilience
NB: This work is funded by TRaCCA – Tomorrow’s Railway and Climate Change Adaptation (Network Rail / RSSB) 11
Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Case Study: Rhine Valley ¾ Vulnerability screening process Identify parts of Rhine Valley Route that are in areas with increased likelihood of natural hazards ¾ Analysis of vulnerable sections Analyze vulnerable parts of the route identified by the screening process including data base for delay minutes, focusing on weather related delays ¾ Analysis of current and future vulnerabilities Interviews with people responsible for the route segments Analysis of status of infrastructure assets. Discussion of how future climate loads can impact the local railway infrastructure. Identify especially vulnerable assets ¾ Measures for the improvement of infrastructure robustness will be identified and discussed in detail.
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Concluding thoughts ¾ ARISCC has produced a comprehensive survey of how European railways manage weather information (past and present) and natural hazards. It has picked out some good practice examples which others can learn from. ¾ ARISCC has also explored the ways in which future climate models can be used to assist with infrastructure planning and maintenance in the future. There are uncertainties with climate models, particularly storms and gales, but modelling experts seem confident about temperature and precipitation predictions. ¾ Question – does the railway sector have close enough links with the climate forecasting community? Are future climate changes being considered for new infrastructure projects, and maintenance programs? ¾ It is easier to plan for new infrastructure (new standards and so on) to account for a changing climate, than it is to modify existing assets. There is a clear business case for “climate-proofing” new infrastructure!
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
More information online! ARISCC Adapting rail infrastructure to climate change
http://ariscc.org
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Overview ARISCC Adapting rail infrastructure to climate change Alex Veitch UIC Sustainibilty Unit
Winter & Railways Enno Wiebe Rail System Department – Rolling Stock
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
The ideal winter conditions Winter in Germany and Sweden 2008
Sweden Sweden
Germany Germany
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
The winter season 2009/2010 Europe‘s transport system suffering from the winter conditions
London – St. Pancras
North-Eastern Germany
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Have we forgotten what “winter“ is?
1965-66
1942 A lot of knowledge about winter conditions got lost! 18
Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
The UIC RSF Activity “Winter & Railways“
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Survey
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Workshop
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Deliverable
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
“Winter & Railways”: the TOC’s Survey Evaluation Impact of frozen infrastructure on trains 34%
Train Design 58% Current collection 4% Maintenance logistics 4%
Received noteworthy inputs for extra technical issues, diagnostics, problem-solving recommandations: « Trains picking up ballast, lost ballast and generated heavy damages by rail track ballast (Bogie equipment, aerials, reservoirs gear units and underframe areas, all kind of equipments…» DB AG «Reconsider line speed and service pattern, minimize splitting and joining multiple units in service…» ATOC «Systematic winter preparation of vehicles, operation and maintenance, functional testing of vehicles and components in the maintenance, continuous alarm and information on the weather, targeted specification for the procurement of vehicles.. » SBB
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
“Winter & Railways”: the TOC’s Survey Evaluation
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
“Winter & Railways”: the IM’s Survey Evaluation Rails and welding 20%
Equip. Low Temp. 11%
Equip. Snow clearance 29%
Switches and crossing 27% Signalling 3%
Catenary 9%
Received noteworthy inputs for extra technical issues, diagnostics, problemsolving recommandations: « Measurement vehicles systems: track geometry recording cars were stopped by snow or ice for longer than usual. After such a long period, we have some problems with track geometry…» SNCF «Problems in having maintenance staff for snow removing; lack of track capacity for snow removing work; new constructions for e.g. passenger platforms not suitable for snow removing…» VR «Preventive maintenance on all critical assets; well stated contracts between entrepreneurs and infrastructure managers about snow clearance; well described action plan when bad weather occurs... » Trafikverket 22
Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
“Winter & Railways”: the IM’s Survey Evaluation
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Rolling Stock Rolling Stock
Good practice
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Good Practice Rolling Stock > De-icing boogies and wagon bodies > Covers for Automatic Coupling (UK) > Improved Train Design (e.g. Snow Socks for Horns) > Improved Air Filtering > Snow Deflectors
Standardisation: CEN/TC 256/WG 45, Environmental Conditions – Design and test of rolling stock under severe conditions (Draft) 25
Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Infrastructure
Good practice
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Switches and crossings – Systems to assist snow clearance Brushes The train creates an airflow that clears the rail Heating element Heats the rail up to 8-10 °C and melts the snow
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Switches and crossings – Systems to assist snow clearance Plastic cover To keep the heat Wooden cover To keep the heat Cover To prevent snow filling the space for the rod transmission
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Switches and crossings Procedure to clear snow
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Preparation before next winter Checklists for switches on main lines Filofaxstorlek En bra papperskvalite (fukttåligt)
CHECKLISTA FÖR VÄXELTILLSYN STN: VXNR: ÅR/V: BANTEKNIK Makadam Spårläge Tunganordning ELTEKNIK Värmeelement Kopplingsbox inklusive kablage Styrdon (triac), säkringar SIGNALTEKNIK
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SIGNALTEKNIK Bultar och stag Omläggningsanordning
□ ok! □ ok! □ ok!
□ ok! TKK funktion □ ok! TILLÄGG INFÖR VINTERSÄSONGEN □ ok! Funktionsprova växelvärmen □ ok! □ ok! Snöskydd □ ok! ALLMÄNT □ ok! Fastsättningsdetaljer □ ok! INFORMATION □ ok! ÖVRIG Notera avvikelser och åtgärder som inte kunnat u Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Operations Operations
Good practice
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Priority – Reduced capacity plans
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Goal: To be better prepared for the next winter seasons Remember: Cold winters seldom come alone!
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
More information online! Winter & Railways > Rolling Stock > Infrastructure > Operations
http://www.uic.org/spip.php?article2578 34
Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
Thank you for your kind attention
Alex Veitch, UIC, Sustainability Unit Enno Wiebe, UIC, Rail System Department
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Raiways facing climate change and extreme Weather conditions / 20.05.2011
