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 the future. Systematic investigation for over 150 years has led to the r ...

, 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 the future. Systematic investigation for over 150 years has led to the railways' excellent safety record (compared, for example, with

road transport Road transport or road transportation is a type of transport using roads. Transport on roads can be roughly grouped into the transportation of goods and transportation of people. In many countries licensing requirements and safety regulations e ...

). Ludwig von Stockert (1913) proposed a classification of accidents by their effects (consequences); e.g. head-on-collisions, rear-end collisions, derailments. Schneider and Mase (1968) proposed an additional classification by causes; e.g. driver's errors, signalmen's errors, mechanical faults. Similar categorisations had been made by implication in previous books e.g. Rolt (1956), but Stockert's and Schneider/Mase's are more systematic and complete. With minor changes, they represent best knowledge.

Classification of rail accidents by effects

Collisions In physics, a collision is any event in which two or more bodies exert forces on each other in a relatively short time. Although the most common use of the word ''collision'' refers to incidents in which two or more objects collide with great f ...

:: Collisions with trains: ::* Head-on collision ::* Rear-end collision ::*

Slanting collision Slant can refer to: Bias *Bias or other non-Objectivity (journalism), objectivity in journalism, politics, academia or other fields Technical * Slant range, in telecommunications, the line-of-sight distance between two points which are not a ...

:* Collisions with

buffer stops A buffer stop, bumper, bumping post, bumper block or stopblock (US), is a device to prevent railway vehicles from going past the end of a physical section of track. The design of the buffer stop is dependent, in part, on the kind of couplings ...

(overrunning end of track) :* Collisions with obstructions on the track (may also cause derailment) ::* Collision with

landslip Landslides, also known as landslips, are several forms of mass wasting that may include a wide range of ground movements, such as rockfalls, deep-seated slope failures, mudflows, and debris flows. Landslides occur in a variety of environments, ...

s (in cuttings) * Derailments :: By location: ::* Plain track ::* Curves ::*

Junctions Junction may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Junction'' (film), a 2012 American film * Jjunction, a 2002 Indian film * Junction (album), a 1976 album by Andrew Cyrille * Junction (EP), by Basement Jaxx, 2002 * Junction (manga), or ''Hot ...

Other * Fires,

explosion An explosion is a rapid expansion in volume associated with an extreme outward release of energy, usually with the generation of high temperatures and release of high-pressure gases. Supersonic explosions created by high explosives are known ...

s and release of

hazardous chemicals Dangerous goods, abbreviated DG, are substances that when transported are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even when not being transported are known as hazardous materials ( syllabi ...

(including sabotage/ terrorism) * People falling from trains, collisions with people on tracks

Classification of rail accidents by causes

Drivers' errors

* Passing signals at danger * Excessive speed * Mishandling of the engine (e.g. boiler explosions) * Failure to check brakes and safety systems as well as sand reserve * Failure to stop at required positions, e.g. level crossings with defective equipment or shunting movements that lead to occupied tracks.

Signalmen's errors

* Allowing two trains into same occupied block section * Incorrect operation of signals,

points Point or points may refer to: Places * Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland * Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States * Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland * Point ...

token Token may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Token, a game piece or counter, used in some games * The Tokens, a vocal music group * Tolkien Black, a recurring character on the animated television series ''South Park,'' formerly known as ...

equipment

(Mechanical) failure of rolling stock

* Poor design * Poor maintenance * Undetected damage * Overloading or freight that is not adequately secured. * Fire starting from combustion motors, electric cables or equipment, leaking fuel or cooling oil

Civil engineering failure

Track Track or Tracks may refer to: Routes or imprints * Ancient trackway, any track or trail whose origin is lost in antiquity * Animal track, imprints left on surfaces that an animal walks across * Desire path, a line worn by people taking the shorte ...

(permanent way) faults * Bridge and tunnel collapses * Poor track or

junction Junction may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Junction'' (film), a 2012 American film * Jjunction, a 2002 Indian film * Junction (album), a 1976 album by Andrew Cyrille * Junction (EP), by Basement Jaxx, 2002 * Junction (manga), or ''Hot ...

layout

Acts of other people

* Other railway personnel ( shunters, porters, maintenance personnel, etc.) * Non-railway personnel * Accidental ** Accidental track obstruction e.g. with road vehicles or by working construction vehicles * Deliberate ( vandalism, terrorism,

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...

, extortion, sabotage) ** Deliberate track obstruction, e.g. with road vehicles or (heavy) objects ** Intentional damage to infrastructure like tracks, points or signals ** Level crossing misuse ** Trespassing

Natural causes

* Track obstruction or damage by

landslide Landslides, also known as landslips, are several forms of mass wasting that may include a wide range of ground movements, such as rockfalls, deep-seated grade (slope), slope failures, mudflows, and debris flows. Landslides occur in a variety of ...

s, avalanches, floods, trees * Fog or snow that obscure signals or the current position of the train * Wet leaves (or their remains) making the tracks slippery.

Contributory factors

* Strength of rolling stock * Fire hazards or

dangerous goods Dangerous goods, abbreviated DG, are substances that when transported are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even when not being transported are known as hazardous materials ( syllabi ...

in the train, in involved road vehicles or the vicinity * Effectiveness of

brake A brake is a mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction. Background ...

s * Inadequate rules

References

* Ludwig von Stockert (1913), Eisenbahnunfalle (Railway Accidents - a contribution to railway operating technology). Leipzig 1913. * * Later editions available. {{Rail accidents * Rail transport classification systems