ProRail plans to deactivate some rail switch heating installations starting next year or the year after, eventually removing them. Currently, there are 4,500 installations, but this will be reduced by half.
According to ProRail, maintaining all these installations is unnecessary for the passenger or freight schedule, as winters are milder. The installations are used when there’s over a 10% chance of snow or ice, preventing schedule disruptions caused by frozen switches.
The company will only heat switches essential for operations, estimating annual savings of 17 million euros in maintenance and energy costs. Additionally, CO2 emissions will decrease as remaining installations transition from gas to electricity.
Source: NOS