Analysis of Rail Buckling Prevention Strategies in the Context of Climate Change in the United Kingdom

Joko Santoso, Ir. Latif Budi Suparma, M.Sc., Ph.D.; Ir. Taqia Rahman, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D.

2025 | Tesis | S2 Mag. S. & T.Transportasi

This thesis addresses the critical challenge of rail track buckling in the United Kingdom, exacerbated by the escalating impacts of climate change. With rising temperatures, the structural integrity and operational efficiency of railway systems are increasingly at risk, necessitating effective prevention strategies. The aim of this research is to explore and evaluate methods for preventing rail buckling under the changing climate conditions anticipated in the United Kingdom.

Through an extensive literature review, this study outlines the prevailing mechanisms of rail buckling and identifies the key factors contributing to this phenomenon namely rail temperature increase and ballast lateral resistance. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative assessments. Projecting the future air temperatures using data from UKCP8 and the use of the Track Buckling Predictor ETI0606T-01 were used to predict future rail buckling events and assess the efficacy of various prevention methods.

The findings reveal a significant correlation between increased temperatures due to climate change and the frequency of rail buckling incidents. Among the prevention strategies analysed, the research highlights the effectiveness of engineering solutions such as widening of ballast shoulders, installation of geogrids, polyurethane geocomposite, sleepers modification, rail damper utilisation, and application of reflective paint on rails emerged as potent measures to mitigate the risk of buckling. The findings underscore the urgent need for proactive adaptation of the United Kingdom’s railway infrastructure to withstand the evolving climate scenario, ensuring safe and reliable rail services in the face of environmental challenges. 

This thesis addresses the critical challenge of rail track buckling in the United Kingdom, exacerbated by the escalating impacts of climate change. With rising temperatures, the structural integrity and operational efficiency of railway systems are increasingly at risk, necessitating effective prevention strategies. The aim of this research is to explore and evaluate methods for preventing rail buckling under the changing climate conditions anticipated in the United Kingdom.

Through an extensive literature review, this study outlines the prevailing mechanisms of rail buckling and identifies the key factors contributing to this phenomenon namely rail temperature increase and ballast lateral resistance. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative assessments. Projecting the future air temperatures using data from UKCP8 and the use of the Track Buckling Predictor ETI0606T-01 were used to predict future rail buckling events and assess the efficacy of various prevention methods.

The findings reveal a significant correlation between increased temperatures due to climate change and the frequency of rail buckling incidents. Among the prevention strategies analysed, the research highlights the effectiveness of engineering solutions such as widening of ballast shoulders, installation of geogrids, polyurethane geocomposite, sleepers modification, rail damper utilisation, and application of reflective paint on rails emerged as potent measures to mitigate the risk of buckling. The findings underscore the urgent need for proactive adaptation of the United Kingdom’s railway infrastructure to withstand the evolving climate scenario, ensuring safe and reliable rail services in the face of environmental challenges. 

Kata Kunci : Rail buckling, prevention, climate change, United Kingdom