Solar storms threaten not only communication systems and satellites, but also trains, increasing the risk of accidents. British scientists from Lancaster University came to this conclusion. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Space Weather.
Experts believe that strong solar emissions can cause magnetic storms that interfere with electronic signal stations on railroads and even change railroad signs from a stop signal to a go signal or vice versa.
Changing the signal does not necessarily cause problems. If a solar storm turns the green signal into red, it will force the moving train to stop. But otherwise the result could be disastrous.
Risks to railways and other infrastructure may be particularly high when the Sun reaches the peak of its 11-year cycle.
The working computer simulated two UK rail routes: the Preston-Lancaster section of the West Coast Main Line and the Glasgow-Edinburgh line. A total of nearly 50 thousand signal circuits are used in these areas.
Scientists have found that even weak solar storms can cause similar errors in electronic train control systems. Moreover, such situations will occur at least once every few decades.
Previous researchers EstablishedIt is stated that peak solar activity may occur in early 2024.