Kyivpastrans is using specialized water-tank trams to cool rail tracks in Kyiv and Lviv as temperatures reach 30 °C [2].
This measure is critical to prevent the physical deformation of steel rails, which can warp under extreme heat and cause derailments or transit delays.
The city transport operator, Kyivpastrans, deployed these specialized vehicles to spray water directly onto the rails. Each water-tank tram can carry up to 32 tons of water [1] to maintain the structural integrity of the network during the current heatwave.
Authorities implemented the cooling process in both Kyiv and Lviv to ensure the safety of movement for passengers and vehicles. The spray system targets the hottest sections of the track to lower the metal temperature quickly.
While the current heat has necessitated these emergency measures, weather forecasts suggest a shift in conditions. Upcoming days are expected to bring rain and a temperature drop to between 20 and 25 °C [3].
This proactive maintenance helps the city avoid costly infrastructure repairs that typically follow severe thermal expansion of the rail lines.
“Each water-tank tram can carry up to 32 tons of water”
The use of water-tank trams highlights the vulnerability of urban rail infrastructure to extreme temperature fluctuations. By actively cooling the tracks, Kyivpastrans is mitigating the risk of 'sun kinks'—permanent bends in the rail caused by thermal expansion—which can lead to catastrophic transit failures in densely populated cities.
