The effects of flooding on railway infrastructure: A literature review
Michelle Ochsner, Carl-William Palmqvist, Nils O.E. Olsson, Lena Winslott Hiselius
Abstract
Flooding of railway infrastructure can lead to significant adverse complications, including infrastructural damage and large-scale disruptions. These can lead to increased economic costs and decreased reliability. Due to climate change, flooding is expected to increase in severity and frequency globally. This paper presents the findings of a systematic literature review surrounding the effects of flooding on railway infrastructure. 24 relevant papers found via the Scopus database were reviewed. We find that studies focus on quantifying the effects of past and or future flooding events on railway infrastructure, while fewer studies mention adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts. To understand and predict the future impacts of flooding on railway infrastructure and develop appropriate adaptation strategies, it is important to first quantify and understand past events.