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Safety

 

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Improving level crossing safety

26 September 2009 | By António Rodrigues Viana, General Director of Strategic Planning, REFER

Each year in Europe, the number of victims from accidents at level crossings (LCs) is approximately 600. It is a disturbing number, which not only demonstrates that this is a problem affecting all countries, but should also prompt awareness and education campaigns on the rules and good practices when crossing…

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Securing a safer future at First Great Western stations

21 July 2009 | By Mark Heffernan, Head of Stations, First Great Western

Customer experience and a safe station environment is paramount to the business ethos of train operator, First Great Western. That is why we have been working hard to achieve Secure Stations Status at 172 of our 210 stations in just over a year. This total exceeds the commitment made by…

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The railway system in Germany

26 March 2009 | By Gerald Hörster, President of the Federal Railway Authority (EBA)

Gerald Hörster, President of the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) examines its place within Germany's railway system.

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Grinding and milling are essential to rail quality

23 January 2009 | By James Abbott, Technical Editor, Global Railway Review

Rail grinding helps to prevent the dangerous build-up of rolling contact fatigue, and also reduces running noise for line side communities. James Abbott, Technical Editor for Global Railway Review, assesses some developments and significant aspects of this important area of our industry.

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Smarter safety means smarter business

3 December 2008 | By Anson Jack, Director of Policy, Research and Risk, Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB)

How RSSB’s knowledge, analysis, technical expertise and powerful information and risk management tools deliver a unique mix to the industry across a whole range of subject areas.

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Rail safety initiatives on the right track

1 August 2008 | By Mr. Julian Lindfield, Director of Safety & Compliance, Network Rail

As Network Rail carries out its ambitious plans for Britain’s growing railway, keeping the railway safe remains one of the top priorities. Indeed, there is no other form of transport safer than rail and Network Rail is determined to maintain this record – not only for passengers, but for the…

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Setting rolling stock technical and safety standards

1 August 2008 | By Craig Waters, Commissioning Editor, Global Railway Review

Fire safety and risk assessment of rolling stock is an important aspect of our industry. To gauge an understanding of what requirements are involved and to assess what the future holds, we put four questions to the train operating company First Capital Connect, and to the notified body and railway…

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The study of level crossing safety in Finland

28 May 2008 | By Esko Värttiö, Chief Railway Accident Investigator, Accident Investigation Board of Finland (AIBF)

In Finland, railway undertaker VR and Finnish Rail Administration (RHK) became concerned in 2005 about the high number of level crossing accidents. VR sent a letter to the Accident Investigation Board of Finland (AIBF) and asked for it to take action to prevent level crossing accidents. They had noticed that…

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Adding value

8 April 2008 | By Paul Seller, Director of Technical Sales, Transportation and Chris Knowles, Director of Marketing, Transportation, Lloyd’s Register Rail Ltd

Making sure systems, products and processes are doing the job in the most efficient way, needs a co-ordinated approach and independent scrutiny. Independent assurance is an approach which checks what others have done, are doing and what they plan to do. When this is performed well, it makes a major…

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Applying the brakes to catastrophic rail freight disasters

29 January 2008 | By Christian Aubry, Project Manager, Freight Wagon Engineering, SBB Cargo AG

The possibility of catastrophe always has to be borne in mind in the case of a train carrying hazardous cargo. The risk can be substantially reduced with the use of derailment detectors, which are designed to immediately apply the brakes if a fault is detected.

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Working towards the railway of 2030

27 November 2007 | By Professor Andrew McNaughton – FREng, CEng, FICE, FPWI, MIOD, Chief Engineer, Network Rail and Global Railway Review Editorial Board Member

Compare our European railway network today with that of 25 years ago. Safety and punctuality have continued to improve, however, traffic growth has been patchy and costs have risen enormously. Meanwhile there have been revolutionary changes in the communications and transport environment. Mobile phones, internet and e-mail didn’t exist 25…

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High Speed 1: A new benchmark in project management

26 November 2007 | By

Britain is finally getting its first new successful railway line in over a century. Nine years after construction began, High Speed 1 (HS1) is ready to commence commercial services from St Pancras International, the glorious new home of British high-speed rail travel.