Brazil’s railways are tackling extreme heat’s impact on track safety, following a derailment in Rio. ViaMobilidade proposes painting tracks white to reflect sunlight, potentially reducing temperatures by 6°C. This initiative is vital as Brazil experiences record heat and severe weather, ensuring safe train operations amid climate challenges.
During heatwaves, passengers riding on trains may unknowingly put themselves at risk due to high temperatures affecting track integrity. In Rio de Janeiro recently, a train derailed after track expansion caused by the heat, which reached 71°C (160°F). Fortunately, no injuries occurred, underscoring the urgent need for solutions to prevent overheating of railway tracks amid rising temperatures.
ViaMobilidade, a railway company operating in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, claims to have a promising solution: painting railway tracks white. This approach aims to reflect sunlight and mitigate steel overheating. Alan Santana de Paula, the company’s maintenance manager, noted that they recorded track temperatures reaching 60°C, leading to potential deformations and dangers for trains. The company serves 800,000 daily riders and recorded 20 instances of track deformation during peak heat.
Brazil faced its hottest recorded year in 2024, a trend linked to climate change. While attempts to paint tracks in light colors have been made globally, their effectiveness remains debated. However, ViaMobilidade’s tests indicate that white paint can lower track temperature by up to 6°C, significantly reducing heat impact. “It doesn’t completely eliminate the effect (of the heat) but it does diminish it,” Santana stated, leading a project to paint 35 kilometers (22 miles) of tracks by February’s end.
To implement this initiative, ViaMobilidade designed a device that enables a pick-up truck to spray water-based paint along the tracks efficiently. As temperatures in Sao Paulo recently surged past 40°C, the need for effective mitigation measures became even more critical. The region’s train traffic also faces disruptions from various extreme weather conditions including torrential rains and strong winds, affecting overall operations.
Sao Paulo endured significant storms recently, resulting in flooding and widespread power outages. As the city navigates these challenges, the focus shifts towards maintaining safe and operational rail systems during extreme weather, particularly given the limited long-distance rail infrastructure in Brazil. This innovative approach may prove crucial in keeping the railways safe amidst climate-related extremes.
Brazil’s railway sector is adapting to extreme weather by implementing a novel solution to combat the dangers posed by high temperatures. ViaMobilidade’s initiative to paint tracks white aims to reduce heat absorption, thereby enhancing safety and operational reliability. As climate change continues to escalate, proactive measures like these will be vital for the future of public transportation in the region.
Original Source: www.purdueexponent.org
