Researchers from Oregon State University and Clemson University created a database showing where floods, extreme heat, and landslides have affected railroad tracks across the United States. They took federal records on climate hazards covering the years 2000 to 2024, and checked whether those events happened in the same places that railroad lines run. Whenever a hazard fell within the area of a track, they marked that section as having been exposed to that event. They then checked Federal Railroad Administration accident reports to see when a track was officially recorded as being damaged by natural conditions. By linking these sources, they have created a dataset that gives planners a clearer view of which stretches of the railroad network have faced repeated climate stress.
Image Credits: Silver Ringvee
