ÖBB Weather Forecasts Aimed at Minimizing Winter Damage

In early December 2023, heavy, wet snow caused significant damage to rail traffic. Trees fell on tracks and overhead lines, trains were damaged and had to be repaired for weeks. Such incidents should be avoided, even though extreme weather can never be completely ruled out, as the flood in 2024 showed. The ÖBB relies on its own weather forecasts to minimize damage, as was announced on Tuesday.

55 ÖBB Weather Stations for Forecasts

"The more accurately and earlier we know about weather situations, the better we can manage our countermeasures," said ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä via a press release. For this purpose, the railway operates 32 basic weather stations in valley locations and 23 high mountain weather stations. These are integrated into a large network of a weather service and provide timely and route-specific weather information that is becoming more significant for the ÖBB in light of climate change. Based on the data, Ubimet meteorologists, together with ÖBB experts, create detailed forecasts and, above all, expected impacts. The aim is to respond in a timely and local manner and to take organizational measures. This involves increased readiness and monitoring of individual route sections up to precautionary closures.

ÖBB Expenditure of 25 Million Euros Annually for Winter Service

The ÖBB spends around 25 million euros annually on winter service. 239 km of avalanche and rockfall protection are checked nationwide for their winter suitability. 4,750 hectares of rock and slope embankments are monitored. The railway also manages 3,370 hectares of protective forests. Of the approximately 13,000 switches nationwide, about two-thirds are equipped with switch heaters. There are ten avalanche commissions and 63 employees in the avalanche warning service. Around 100 snow removal vehicles are in service. There are snowplows, snow blowers, snow throwers, and snow brushes as attachments. Two snow throwers are self-propelled. Beyond the track bodies, more than 1,000 stations need to be serviced.

(APA/Red)

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