Re: Rail + Safety Records

[David Guymer <davidmg@optusnet.com.au>]

Bill wrote:

> Rail is in fact inherently unsafe. Heavy vehicles travelling at speed on fixed
> tracks, unable to swerve or brake quickly, cannot be inherently safe. What
> makes rail safe is eternal vigilance, to ensure that the infrastructure, the
> rolling stock, the people, and the rules that bind them together into the rail
> system are all in good shape. Well-designed inspections, proper maintenance,
> correct training and retraining, supervision that emphasises correct
> standards, underpinned by a prudent level of capital investment will keep a
> rail system safe. Over-emphasis on profitability, cost-cutting, and
> productivity can result in a rise in accidents and incidents if preventive
> measures and defences are weakened by staff cuts and procedural changes.
>
> I think this is Australia's thrid collision in 6 months, is it not? And Tranz
> Rail in NZ had a bad one (loco engineer killed) in September. Four in
> Australasia in 6 months? Statistical blip?
>
> Bill
>

Now you know why I was happy to be made redundant when Melbourne's transport was
privatized.
David G.

>
> dave pierson wrote:
>
> > Richard wrote:
> >
> > > Up until fairly recently there was always good ground for the argument
> > > that travelling by rail was far far safer than by air.
> >
> >         It would seem to be a local to Australia phenomenon, then.
> >         Elsewhere, world wide, passenger safety, rail vs air is
> >         roughly the same for both modes, deaths/mile (per km...)
> >         basis.  (I've got the numbers...)  I'd assume equivalent
> >         numbers for Australia re available.  (Cars, autos are roughly
> >         10x worse....  Elsewhere, varying from country to country...)
> >
> > > Now also arguably some of the recent comings together of iron horses
> > > were of the freight variety...but that aside...what s with all theses
> > >collisions??
> >
> >         IS there a change?  really?  Long term averages?
> >
> >         If so, it could be a statistical blip.  Rail is (relatively)
> >         quite safe.  Needs long term numbers to see if there is a trend..
> >         Once there is a trend (if there is one...) then looking for causes
> >         makes, i should think, more sense...
> >
> > --
> > thanks
> > dave pierson                    |the facts, as accurately as i can manage,
> > Smart Modular Technology        |the opinions, my own.
> > 334 South St                    |
> > Shrewsbury, Mass                |pierson@mail.dec.com
> > "He has read everything, and, to his credit, written nothing."  A J
> > Raffles
> > "Internet: net of a million lies..."    after Vernor Vinge