Classification of Railway Accidents
Classification of railway accidents, both in terms of cause and effect, is a valuable aid in studying rail (and other) accidents to help to prevent similar ones occurring in future. Systematic investigation for over 150 years has led to the railways’ excellent safety record.
Classification of rail accidents by effects
Collisions;
- Head-on collision
- Rear collision
- Collisions with buffer stops
- Obstructions on the line (road vehicles, landslides, avalanches)
Derailments;
- Plain track
- Curves
- Junctions
Other;
- Fires and explosions (including sabotage/terrorism)
- Falls from trains, collisions with people on tracks
Classification of rail accidents by causes
Drivers’ errors;
- Passing signals at danger
- Excessive speed
- Mishandling engine (e.g. boiler explosions)
Signalmen’s errors;
- Allowing two trains into same occupied block section
- Incorrect operation of signals, points or token equipment
Mechanical failure of rolling stock;
- Poor design
- Poor maintenance
Civil engineering failure;
- Track (permanent way) faults
- Bridge and tunnel collapses
Acts of other people;
- Other railway personnel (shunters, porters, etc)
- Non-railway personnel
- Accidental
- Deliberate (vandalism, terrorism, suicide)
Contributory factors;
- Strength of rolling stock
- Fires resulting from accidents
- Effectiveness of brakes
- Poor track or junction layout
- Inadequate rules
References;
1- Ludwig von Stockert (1913), Eisenbahnunfalle (Railway Accidents – a contribution to railway operating technology). Leipzig 1913.
2- Schneider, Wolfgang; Armand Mase (1971). Railway Accidents of (Great Britain and) Europe. In German, English translation by E.L. Dellow. David and Charles.