SBB reports nearly 100 heat-related track deformations

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has recorded 97 instances of track warping and buckling due to extreme summer heat, nearly four times the number reported in the previous year. While SBB maintains that these incidents do not compromise safety and that a dense monitoring network is in place, experts have raised concerns.

Patrick Braess, a professor of railway infrastructure at ETH Zurich, warned of the potential for derailments. He suggested the actual number of deformations across the entire Swiss rail network, including regional and mountain railways, could be as high as 150. Braess noted that in densely populated networks, a derailment could lead to significant damage if a derailed car obstructs an adjacent track.

To combat heat-related issues, SBB is utilizing a task force and implementing measures such as using concrete sleepers for increased stability and adjusting neutralization temperatures during welding. The company has also tested white coatings to reflect heat, though effectiveness decreased over time due to dirt accumulation and traffic density.