KC Streetcar fights extreme heat with water-spraying trucks
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Kind of wished it would stop and spray me for a bit. GIF: Travis Meier/Axios
Streetcar officials are testing a new way to prevent extreme heat from damaging the tracks.
Why it matters: This summer has been exceedingly hot, with peak temperatures threatening people's health and city infrastructure.
Zoom in: I spotted the KC Streetcar Authority's new tactic — a water truck unloading its tank on the tracks — during a brief, sweaty walk on Tuesday.
- Tom Gerend, executive director of the Streetcar Authority, tells Axios they started deploying the contracted trucks a few weeks ago, as temperatures consistently soared above 90.
What they're saying: "We're really focusing on the downtown segment that's over 10 years old," Gerend says, adding that they're monitoring sections that have had recent repairs and are more susceptible to deterioration.
- The water helps, Gerend says. The question is if it's worth the extra work and cost, which they're still calculating.
- "We'll carry this forward through the end of this hot season" and then evaluate whether to use it for next year, he says.
Zoom out: Gerend says the high temperatures are also straining the system's power substations, which give off additional heat, and the electrical components of the vehicles.
- Workers are closely monitoring cooling systems at the stations, which are keeping temps in the right range.
- And maintenance bays without air-conditioning have been outfitted with evaporative blowers to keep workers cool.
Threat level: July was the hottest month ever recorded in the U.S., testing Midwest power grids and resulting in a spike in local ER visits.
- "We're anticipating these sort of extreme higher temperatures are probably going to be something that'll be regular going forward," Gerend says.
What we're watching: An extreme heat warning is in effect until Friday night.
- Heat index values could reach 110.