Roadmap for implementing climate adaptation innovations in railway

Abstract

The railway is often perceived as an industry where new technology is not utilised to its full potential. However, the future of the railway and its ability to respond to future transportation demands lies in its ability to implement emerging technology. The aim of this research was to propose a system-level innovation roadmap for implementing innovations that can support climate adaptation of railway infrastructure. To achieve the aim of the research, barriers, and enablers for implementing innovations have been explored, identified, and analysed. Two interview studies and a workshop have been conducted. In total, 58 experts from a population with knowledge in railway have been interviewed. The innovation is a decision support system (DSS) enhancing knowledge regarding effects of climate change on railway infrastructure and suggesting climate adaptation measures. The barriers and enablers concerning the implementation of the innovation are related to technology, business models, procurement, infrastructure, regulations, policy, and culture, values, and behaviour. Procurement processes and business models are vital enablers for the introduction of new solutions for a more climate-change-resilient infrastructure. Tendering documentation must include a broader scope of climate-change risk management indicators. A conclusion is that climate adaptation action has a multi-dimension aspect which require various stakeholders to be engaged. This work proposed a holistic system-level innovation roadmap for implementing DSS for climate adaptation of railway infrastructure.