How AI, drones and white paint are helping Europe fight extreme heat

European governments and transport operators are deploying AI, drones, white paint and heat-resistant materials to protect roads, railways and airports from extreme heat. The measures reflect how climate change is exposing the limits of infrastructure built for a cooler continent.

In Short

• Europe temperatures were about 5.5 degrees above July norms on Wednesday
• Decades-old rail, road and airport systems were not built for current heat
• Operators are using drones, AI and smart monitoring to detect damage early

Europe is turning to artificial intelligence, drones, heat-resistant materials and even white paint as soaring temperatures put decades-old roads, railways and airports under unprecedented strain. From cooling airport runways with thousands of litres of water in Norway to painting railway tracks white in Sweden, governments and transport operators are scrambling to protect critical infrastructure as climate change fuels longer, hotter and more frequent heatwaves.

The latest measures come as much of Western Europe continues to experience temperatures well above seasonal averages, exposing the growing vulnerability of transport networks built for a much cooler climate.

EUROPE'S INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER PRESSURE

Railways, highways and airports across Europe are increasingly struggling to cope with prolonged periods of extreme heat.

According to Reuters Climate Monitor, temperatures across Western Europe on Wednesday were about 5.5 degrees Celsius above the average for July 15.

Experts warn that infrastructure built decades ago was never designed for the climate conditions Europe is now experiencing.

"Our infrastructure is in no way prepared for the extreme weather events that we're going to see," said Chris Dodwell, co-head of the sustainability centre at Impax Asset Management, to Reuters.

He warned that heatwaves, once considered rare, are becoming a regular feature across Europe.

A 2025 report by leading central banks estimated that severe weather events, including heatwaves, floods and droughts, could reduce euro zone GDP by as much as 4.7 per cent by 2030.

DRONES AND AI HELP MONITOR RAILWAYS

Rail operators are increasingly relying on technology to detect problems before they disrupt services.

John Lawrence, chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology's Railway Technical Network, said much of Europe's railway system remains outdated.

Many rail components and systems are "in essence frozen in time", he said.

Instead of rebuilding entire rail networks, operators are turning to drones, artificial intelligence and smart monitoring systems to inspect tracks more quickly and identify damage before it becomes dangerous.

"They are exploring more stable sleeper designs and technologies such as AI and drones to speed up the amount of track that can be inspected and monitored," Lawrence told Reuters.

Britain's Network Rail has already committed £2.6 billion between 2024 and 2029 to strengthen its rail network against increasingly extreme weather.

WHITE PAINT OFFERS A SIMPLE SOLUTION

Not every solution involves advanced technology.

Transport authorities in Stockholm have painted sections of metro tracks white to reflect sunlight and reduce the risk of tracks buckling during extreme heat. The project cost around 100,000 Swedish crowns (about $10,300) and was carried out during May and June.

Engineers say lighter surfaces absorb less heat, helping keep rail temperatures lower during the hottest parts of the day.

Norway, a country better known for freezing winters than scorching summers, is also adapting.

At Oslo Airport, firefighters spray around 9,000 litres of water on key sections of the runway to prevent the asphalt from softening under the weight of aircraft.

With temperatures expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius, roughly 10 degrees above the seasonal average, airport operator Avinor is also testing a new heat-resistant asphalt.

"In Norway, the asphalt must withstand both extreme cold and fairly warm temperatures," said Jørn Arvid Remark, an operating engineer at Avinor.

HEAT BRINGS MORE THAN JUST HOT WEATHER

Scientists say the biggest challenge is not always the heat itself.

Higher temperatures often trigger thunderstorms, flooding, landslides and stronger winds, creating even greater risks for transport systems.

"The most critical issue for rail networks is not the heat itself, but the thunderstorms, strong winds and landslides that often follow heatwaves," said Oliviero Baccelli, a professor at Milan's Bocconi University.

"Italy has already experienced significant disruptions to its railway network, particularly on Alpine routes, as a result of climate-related events."

According to an EU report released in April, more than 70 per cent of railway managers have reported increasing disruption from extreme weather.

Between 2015 and 2024, weather-related interruptions across Europe were equivalent to losing between one and three full years of railway services.

LEARNING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

Experts believe Europe can learn valuable lessons from countries that have long operated transport systems in extreme heat.

Martin Wilson, engineering director at French rail manufacturer Alstom, pointed to metro systems in Riyadh and tram networks in Dubai, both designed to operate in temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius.

"Today's heatwaves are often more intense, more frequent and longer-lasting," he said.

"Rising temperatures are increasingly challenging rail systems across Europe."

Roads face similar problems.

While southern European countries such as Spain already use asphalt designed for prolonged heat, northern countries traditionally built roads to survive repeated freezing and thawing during winter.

"They may have to adjust their approach," said Jos Pablo Sez Villar of the Spanish Civil Engineers Association.

Norwegian authorities say future infrastructure projects will now be designed with climate change in mind.

"Roads are going to be made more robust," said Grethe Vikane of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

"So they can withstand both the challenges already being experienced and the consequences of expected climate change."

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