# White Paint on Railroad Rails Aims to Reduce Derailments

Railway engineers are testing white paint on the sides of rails to reflect sunlight and keep tracks cooler during hot weather. This reduces the risk of track buckling, a common cause of derailments. The low-cost solution could enhance rail safety in heat-prone regions.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Technology
- [Hacker News](https://www.up.com/news/safety/Tracking-Rail-Heat-260608) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:12:59 +0000