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How Space Storms Could Disrupt Train Signals and Trigger Serious Accidents

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Trains Entering and Exiting Clapham Junction Station in London

Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Electrical systems in railways across various countries, including the UK, are vulnerable to space weather phenomena. The most alarming possibility is a signal malfunction where a red light could inadvertently turn green, potentially leading to tragic train accidents, warns Cameron Patterson from Lancaster University, UK.

“This can disrupt the signaling systems which are vital for railway safety,” he states. “Proactive measures are essential to mitigate these risks, and it’s critical to communicate this urgently.”

The sun continually releases light and charged particles. This solar wind creates auroras. During solar storms, the sun can emit larger quantities of particles, which may impact the Earth’s magnetic field.

While satellites are particularly at risk, solar storms can also disrupt electrical systems on Earth, inducing unexpected currents in railway tracks due to shifting magnetic fields. This is particularly concerning as many rail systems utilize direct current to determine the presence of trains.

“When geomagnetically induced currents are introduced, they can create anomalies, leading to erroneous signals, such as green lights turning red,” Patterson explained at a recent European Geosciences Union meeting in Vienna, Austria. “Trains travel at high speeds, making it crucial to have advance warning to prevent accidents.”

Patterson cited a notable case from July 1982 in Sweden, where a signal was impacted by solar storm activities, and geomagnetically induced currents were correlated with the signal errors.

He believes more incidents may be overlooked as engineers rarely attribute these anomalies to space weather. Often, by the time they investigate, the solar storm has passed, leaving them unable to find clear causes. Studies in Russia have indicated similar correlations between solar storms and signal irregularities.

A red light erroneously turning green poses the greatest threat, but the reverse scenario can also create significant disruptions, especially if a train is immobilized and its electrical systems fail, potentially endangering passengers who leave the train.

Fortunately, the likelihood of these incidents is low. Such potent solar storms capable of causing these issues are estimated to occur once every 30 years, although a significant storm could strike at any moment, potentially leading to widespread power outages and chaos.

Certain countries have adopted alternative signaling systems using magnetic sensors to monitor train wheels; however, their susceptibility to geomagnetically induced currents remains uncertain.

Many railway systems may also be exposed to disruptions from solar storms, impacting transformers, systems aiding train tilting around curves at high speeds, radio communications, and satellite navigation critical for precise train positioning.

Patterson is collaborating with Network Rail, the Railway Safety Standards Board, and a British engineering firm to enhance system resilience. Initiating dialogue around this issue has been challenging, but their commitment is strong.

Magnus Wike from the Swedish Institute for Astrophysics shares concerns that solar storm-related signal anomalies might go unnoticed. “There may be brief disruptions, but without clear cause analysis, the system returns to normal,” he explains.

Wik mentioned that Sweden modernized its railway system in the 1950s after signal anomalies during geomagnetic storms in the 1930s. He emphasized that the 1982 instance of signals fluctuating between green and red was less severe in impact.

“The Swedish Transport Agency likely lacks insights into whether such events could reoccur,” he states. “We discussed the possibility of researching historical geomagnetic disturbances alongside error logs, though it’s not an official undertaking.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Space Storms Can Disrupt Train Signals and Lead to Serious Accidents

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Trains entering and exiting Clapham Junction station in London

Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Electrical systems on railways worldwide, including the UK, are vulnerable to solar weather events. In extreme cases, faults in the system could result in a red signal mistakenly displaying green, raising the risk of serious train accidents. Cameron Patterson, an expert from Lancaster University, UK, emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue.

“Solar storms can disrupt signaling systems, which are essential for railway safety,” Patterson warns. “It’s vital to enhance our preparedness for these phenomena.”

The sun continually emits light along with charged particles known as solar wind, which can create auroras. However, during a solar storm, the sun can release excess material that impacts Earth’s magnetic field.

While satellites are primarily at risk, solar storms also pose threats to ground-based electrical systems. Changes in magnetic fields can generate unintended currents, particularly in railroad tracks.

This phenomenon is problematic since many railway systems depend on direct current flowing through specific track sections to detect train presence. When a train passes by, it alters the current flow.

“Geomagnetically induced currents can create various anomalies, causing signals to misbehave — for instance, a green signal turning red,” Patterson explained at a recent European Geosciences Union meeting in Vienna, Austria. “Trains travel at high speeds; if there’s no warning, it may be too late to stop.”

Remarkably, Patterson is aware of only one documented case of a signal being affected during a solar storm, which occurred in Sweden in July 1982. “They observed the signal altering and correlated it with geomagnetically induced currents on the tracks,” Patterson stated.

He suspects there are numerous instances yet to be identified, as engineers typically overlook space weather as a possible cause. By the time they investigate, the storm has usually diminished, leaving them unable to pinpoint any anomalies. Research in Russia has also found links between solar storms and signaling irregularities.

While a red signal mistakenly turning green presents a significant risk, the reverse — a green light changing to red — can also lead to serious disruptions. In the event of an electrical failure, passengers may have to evacuate a stalled train, which poses additional dangers,” Patterson noted.

Fortunately, the overall risk remains low. Severe solar storms capable of inducing such disruptions are estimated to occur roughly every 30 years. “However, a once-in-a-hundred-year event could happen anytime,” Patterson cautions. Large storms can result in widespread power outages and significant chaos.

Some countries operate on different signaling systems that use magnetic sensors to count train wheels. It’s unclear whether these systems would fall prey to geomagnetically induced currents.

A variety of other rail systems are also susceptible to solar storm-related disruptions, including transformers linked to overhead wires, systems designed for tilting trains on curves, radio communications, and satellite navigation systems that detect a train’s location.

Patterson is currently collaborating with Network Rail, the Railway Safety Standards Board, and a UK engineering firm to enhance system resilience. He notes that starting this dialogue has been challenging, but they’re committed to making meaningful progress.

Magnus Wike, a researcher at the Swedish Institute for Astrophysics, agrees with Patterson regarding the possibility of unnoticed solar storm signals. “There could be temporary disruptions that resolve quickly, leaving us unaware of their cause,” he said.

Wik informed that in the 1950s, Sweden upgraded its railway system after traffic lights switched from red to green during geomagnetic storms in the 1930s. He indicated that the 1982 incident was less serious, involving a switch from green to red.

“The Swedish Transport Agency likely doesn’t know whether these occurrences could happen again or how frequently they might have happened,” he explained. “We have considered researching past geomagnetic disturbances to match them with error logs, but this remains unofficial.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Understanding Why Women Are 60% More Likely to Suffer Injuries in Car Accidents Compared to Men

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According to recent research from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria, women are more likely to sustain injuries in car accidents than men.

The study indicates that women involved in the same crash as men are 60% more likely to be injured.

“Our analysis shows that women are disproportionately injured, particularly in the chest, spine, arms, and legs,” stated project coordinator Dr. Corina Krug.

Dr. Klug and her team analyzed data from approximately 2,000 traffic accidents in Austria between 2012 and 2024.

Using advanced virtual human models and computer simulations, they reconstructed individual accidents to compare the effects on male and female bodies during crashes.

The findings revealed that women over 50 are at a heightened risk of injury.

Moreover, women are more than twice as likely as men to suffer serious injuries or fatal outcomes in low-speed accidents.

“In our study, women and men were involved in identical crashes and in the same vehicle, so the differences weren’t due to vehicle type, crash speed, or crash mode,” Klug stated in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

“While the presence of more female passengers contributes to the discrepancy, it does not entirely explain it.”

The increased risk seems to arise from differences in body proportions and weight distribution between genders, she noted.

This highlights a critical issue in vehicle safety design, which has historically favored male body types.

Manufacturers typically use crash test dummies modeled after average American males from the 1970s: 175 cm tall and 78 kg.

While some female models are used, they often represent smaller versions of male dummies, failing to adequately reflect the anatomy of most women.

“Women are not little men,” Klug emphasized. “Standard petite female models often cannot accurately replicate accident scenarios.”

As a result, although vehicle designs prioritize safety for male bodies, women continue to face significant risks.

Women seated in the passenger side of a car are at a higher risk of injury compared to the driver, especially in accidents – Credit: Getty

To address this issue, researchers recommend developing female crash test dummies that better reflect average female anatomy, including a wider pelvis and larger chest.

They also advocate for using virtual crash models to enhance vehicle safety assessments based on various body sizes and seating positions.

In the meantime, there are several ways car users can improve their safety. It all starts with proper seating positioning.

“We’ve all seen passenger seats pushed too far back or reclined,” Klug explains. “However, airbags and seat belts may not perform effectively in these non-standard positions.”

Research shows that passengers are at greater risk in a car compared to drivers, especially if the seat is inclined excessively.

Co-author Dr. Felix Lessi, also from Graz University of Technology, advises: “Adjust your seat belt properly. The lap belt should rest over your pelvis while the shoulder belt sits over your sternum and aligns with your collarbone center.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

ADHD Medications Lower the Risk of Crimes, Substance Abuse, and Accidents

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ADHD symptoms can be effectively managed through medication and therapy

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A study involving 150,000 participants in Sweden found that individuals using medications to control their symptoms face a diminished risk of suicidal behavior, criminal charges, substance misuse, accidental injuries, and traffic incidents. Prior research supports this, yet the team behind this latest study claims it’s the most substantial evidence available to date.

“This represents the best methodology, akin to a randomized trial,” states Zheng Chang from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

When considering medications for ADHD management, the wider impact of avoiding these treatments might not be fully recognized, according to Samuelle Cortese from the University of Southampton, UK. He suggests parents often become preoccupied with immediate academic challenges but should also consider potential long-term outcomes.

“Neglecting ADHD can be risky,” he emphasizes. “Current evidence indicates that treatment lowers these risks.”

Individuals with ADHD frequently struggle with attention and exhibit impulsivity. Randomized controlled trials indicate that medications are effective in handling immediate symptoms.

Such trials involve randomly assigning individuals to either receive treatment or not, regarded as the gold standard in medical research. However, no randomized studies have yet evaluated the broader effects of ADHD medications, forcing researchers to rely on observational studies, which do not definitively prove that medication leads to noted behavioral changes.

Recently, Chang, Cortese, and their team executed a method known as target trial emulation. They utilized Swedish medical and legal records to compare patients who began ADHD medication promptly after diagnosis with those who delayed.

The results indicated that those using ADHD medications were 25% less likely to face criminal charges or experience substance problems. They also recorded a 16% reduction in traffic accident involvement, a 15% lower risk for suicide attempts, and a 4% decrease in accidental injuries.

“Understanding if medication can influence daily life beyond mere symptom alleviation is invaluable,” stated Adam Guastella during an interview with the UK Science Media Centre at the University of Sydney, Australia. “This knowledge will also assist governments and policymakers in recognizing the potential societal benefits of comprehensive care, including mental health and criminal justice outcomes.”

If you need someone to talk to, please reach out: UK Samaritans: 116123 (samaritans.org); US 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (988lifeline.org). Find more helplines at bit.ly/suicidehelplines for other regions.

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Source: www.newscientist.com