Optimization and field evaluation of a detachable thermal insulation fabric for rail temperature mitigation

Abstract

Rail temperature control is a critical factor in ensuring the safety and reliability of railway systems, especially under extreme summer heat conditions. Conventional countermeasures such as water spraying systems and solar-reflective coatings have demonstrated limited applicability due to high installation and maintenance costs, short duration of cooling effects, and practical constraints in field deployment. As a novel solution, this study introduces and validates a detachable thermal insulation fabric designed for steel rails, consisting of a heat-reflective fluoropolymer-coated glass fiber fabric and embedded magnets for easy installation and reuse. Through controlled laboratory tests, the optimal coating thickness (100 μm) and effective application area (rail web only) were determined. Field application over two summer seasons on an actual railway track demonstrated an average temperature reduction of 4–5℃ and a maximum of 9.7℃, particularly effective during peak solar radiation periods. Compared to conventional coatings, the fabric exhibited similar or superior thermal mitigation performance, with significantly improved reusability and maintenance convenience. A one-year outdoor exposure test confirmed minimal performance degradation (∼3 %) primarily due to UV-induced discoloration. This study is the first to provide a comprehensive and quantitative validation of detachable thermal insulation fabric for rail applications. The results suggest that this fabric-based approach offers a practical, durable, and scalable alternative to existing methods, with broader applicability to urban infrastructure, noise barriers, and steel bridge decks under thermal stress.