Railway Geohazards focusing on Sensitive Clay and GAM addressing Climate Change

Abstract Railway geohazards present unique challenges due to geotechnical factors affecting linear transportation infrastructures such as railways and pipelines, including construction, operations, reliability, and safety. Natural forces and geological processes continuously alter the earth’s surface, posing evolving risks to both existing and newly constructed tracks over time, such as active erosion, rockfalls, and landslides. The worsening effects of climate change are expected to increase the severity and frequency of these natural events. Champlain Sea glaciomarine deposits, in particular, pose significant risks due to their strain sensitivity to ground disturbances. To mitigate this risk category, a geoscientific large-scale overview of geomorphology is essential for assessing the vulnerability of existing tracks and for selecting new routes to ensure safe operation, especially in areas with sensitive clays. To ensure sustainable operational performance throughout the design life of railway or pipeline infrastructures, it is crucial to consider the impact of climate deterioration on natural events. Geotechnical assets, including protective measures, must be rigorously designed beyond typical design codes, as actual codes are often insufficient to meet the forthcoming challenges. This study focuses on scenarios highlighting the risks posed by landslide hazards on linear infrastructures within sensitive clays and emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive risk management program that integrates climate-adapted mitigation measures as part of a long-term geotechnical asset management program (GAM).