European transport and infrastructure operators are implementing new cooling and design standards to withstand record-breaking heat waves.

European countries are responding to severe infrastructure stress caused by record-breaking heat waves and climate change. Transport operators and airports are adopting new measures to protect systems, including designing trains for higher temperatures and cooling airport tarmac to prevent damage.

Transport and Infrastructure Adjustments

Eurostar is preparing for future heat by equipping its new fleet of up to 50 Celestia trains with air conditioning capable of operating in temperatures up to 55 degrees Celsius. The company previously intended to design for 45 degrees Celsius but changed plans due to recent extreme weather. These trains are scheduled to enter service in 2031 and operate into the 2060s. Other regions are employing localized cooling strategies. At Oslo Airport, fire crews have used thousands of liters of water to cool tarmac and prevent damage to taxiways. In Sweden, Stockholm’s public transport operator has painted railway tracks white to mitigate the risk of track buckling caused by heat.

Projected Climate Risks

Climate experts warn that extreme heat days in central Europe could double or triple by 2050. Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggest that regions currently experiencing five to 10 days of extreme heat annually could see 20 to 30 days within a generation. Southern Europe, including parts of Greece, Italy, and the Iberian Peninsula, is expected to face the most severe conditions, with some areas projected to exceed 40 to 55 extreme heat days per year.