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Adapting Railway Maintenance to Climate Change

Author

Listed:
  • A. H. S. Garmabaki

    (Operation and Maintenance Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Adithya Thaduri

    (Operation and Maintenance Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Stephen Famurewa

    (Operation and Maintenance Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Uday Kumar

    (Operation and Maintenance Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden)

Abstract

Railway infrastructure is vulnerable to extreme weather events such as elevated temperature, flooding, storms, intense winds, sea level rise, poor visibility, etc. These events have extreme consequences for the dependability of railway infrastructure and the acceptable level of services by infrastructure managers and other stakeholders. It is quite complex and difficult to quantify the consequences of climate change on railway infrastructure because of the inherent nature of the railway itself. Hence, the main aim of this work is to qualitatively identify and assess the impact of climate change on railway infrastructure with associated risks and consequences. A qualitative research methodology is employed in the study using a questionnaire as a tool for information gathering from experts from several municipalities in Sweden, Swedish transport infrastructure managers, maintenance organizations, and train operators. The outcome of this questionnaire revealed that there was a lower level of awareness about the impact of climate change on the various facets of railway infrastructure. Furthermore, the work identifies the challenges and barriers for climate adaptation of railway infrastructure and suggests recommended actions to improve the resilience towards climate change. It also provides recommendations, including adaptation options to ensure an effective and efficient railway transport service.

Suggested Citation

  • A. H. S. Garmabaki & Adithya Thaduri & Stephen Famurewa & Uday Kumar, 2021. "Adapting Railway Maintenance to Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-27, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13856-:d:702916
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adithya Thaduri & Diego Galar & Uday Kumar, 0. "Space weather climate impacts on railway infrastructure," International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, Springer;The Society for Reliability, Engineering Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM),India, and Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, vol. 0, pages 1-15.
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    Cited by:

    1. Iryna Bondarenko & Tiziana Campisi & Giovanni Tesoriere & Larysa Neduzha, 2022. "Using Detailing Concept to Assess Railway Functional Safety," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Arefeh Lotfi & Muhammad S. Virk, 2023. "Railway operations in icing conditions: a review of issues and mitigation methods," Public Transport, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 747-765, October.

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