Using satellite-based monitoring for railway infrastructure management
- Pinnacle Team
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
The Impact of Climate Change on the UK Rail Network and the Importance of Satellite-Based Monitoring
According to Andrew Haines, CEO of Network Rail, "Climate change is the greatest challenge facing Britain's railway, both now and in the near future."
The challenges posed by climate change are already having a significant impact on the UK's railway network. A study by the World Meteorological Organization found that rising global temperatures have led to an approximately 30% increase in average rainfall in the UK. This has left railways vulnerable to a range of issues, including track shifts, railway embankment collapses, landslides, and damage to bridges and tunnels.
Case Study: Nuneham Railway Viaduct, Oxfordshire
The closure of the Nuneham railway viaduct in Oxfordshire last year is a prime example of these issues. Network Rail halted train traffic after detecting movement in the viaduct's southern bank abutment, and it took 10 weeks of emergency repairs to reopen the track.
The Adoption of Satellite-Based Solutions
Satellite-based radar is gaining attention as a way to detect and prevent these problems. Satellite radar scans the ground surface every two weeks, detecting movements down to the millimeter. This allows railway network managers to identify, monitor, and quantify risks in near real-time by capturing signs of movement in slopes, track beds, and other infrastructure.
Satellite-based monitoring is a cost-effective way to efficiently monitor hundreds or thousands of miles of a railway network. With a 10-year data timeline, railway engineers can proactively identify high-risk areas and deploy engineering and investment resources to where they are most needed.
The Case of California, USA
In California, a railway line that runs from Los Angeles to San Diego and San Luis Obispo was severely damaged by record rainfall. Satellite-based analysis revealed signs of a landslide six months before the incident. This shows how satellite monitoring can detect potential risks from climate change in advance and prevent service disruptions.
Conclusion
Satellite-based monitoring technology is a crucial tool for coping with the increasing disruptions to the rail network caused by climate change. With its highly accurate deformation detection capabilities, this technology provides railway infrastructure managers with a powerful means to identify, monitor, and quantify the risks of climate change. This ensures the resilience of railway services and enables the sustainable operation of the rail network through cost savings.
June 3, 2024
