The global rail industry is facing significant challenges due to aging infrastructure and the impacts of climate change. In the US, the Biden administration allocated €59 billion for rail infrastructure projects, including the nation's first high-speed rail lines, to address these issues. However, extreme weather events, such as high temperatures causing track buckling, are disrupting rail services and increasing the risk of derailments.
In Europe, countries like Germany and France are also grappling with similar problems, investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades and climate adaptation measures.
Innovative solutions are being explored to mitigate these risks. For instance, Sensonic is developing AI-powered acoustic technology to detect potential threats to rail tracks. Despite these efforts, the rail industry faces an uphill battle in ensuring the resilience of its networks against future climate challenges. Preventative measures are crucial, but they require substantial investment and long-term planning.
This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.