Train-Mounted Lasers Blast Tracks Clean

[CommanderFrank]

Laser equipped trains? That sounds like something straight from a bad sci-fi novel, but it’s a fact according to a newly released report from New Scientist. Dutch railways is currently testing out the laser equipped trains to determine the effectiveness of the lasers in clearing the tracks. Fear not for the stray cows, the lasers only go for the leaves.

Dutch Railways is now conducting experiments with lasers mounted just in front of the wheels and angled down to zap away the leaves and leave the track dry, which helps with traction.

 

[dgz]

I guess they couldn't get their hands on great white sharks

 

[bucketlist]

So I take it they solved the problem of leave starting fires, right?

 

[steakman1971]

I was in England last week clicking through some channels. One showed a train that mounted jets on a train - it used the jet exhaust to melt/blow away snow. Combine this with lasers - hell yeah!

 

[fixedmy7970]

this is tantamount to admitting the zombie apocalypse is upon us

 

[Grahamkracka]

So I take it they solved the problem of leave starting fires, right?

If it actually vaporizes said leaves, the risk is infinitesimally small.

 

[DPI]

So I take it they solved the problem of leave starting fires, right?

Well you figure by the time the fire spread to the orphanage the train is already long gone, baby.

 

[Geonerd]

New Scientist?
The same 'publication' that brought you supersonic hurricane busters?
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16172-invention-supersonic-hurricane-neutraliser.html

It seems a stretch to believe that any practical laser will be powerful enough to vaporize a steady stream of near-solid leaf debris arriving at tens of miles per hour.

 

[The Lamb]

"In the UK, leaves caused 4.5 million hours of passenger delays in 2013"

I've got to say, that was a really long wait on a cold and wet platform.