Classification of railway accidents
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 (1971) proposed an additional classification by causes; e.g. drivers errors, signalmens errors, mechanical faults. Similar categorisations had been made by implication in previous books e.g. Rolt (1956), but Stockerts and Schneider/Mases are more systematic and complete. With minor changes, they represent best knowledge.
Drivers errors
Classification of rail accidents by effects
Collisions- Head-on collision
- Rear collision
- Slanting collision
- Collisions with buffer stops
- Collisions with obstructions of the track (may also cause derailment)
- Plain track
- Curves
- Junctions
- Fires, explosions and release of hazardous chemicals (including sabotage/terrorism)
- People falling from trains, collisions with people on tracks
Classification of rail accidents by causes
Trespassing railway tracks
- 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.
- Allowing two trains into same occupied block section
- Incorrect operation of signals, points or token equipment
- 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
- Track (permanent way) faults
- Bridge and tunnel collapses
- Poor track or junction layout
- 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, 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
- Track obstruction or damage by landslides, 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.
- Strength of rolling stock
- Fire hazards or dangerous goods in the train, in involved road vehicles or the vicinity
- Effectiveness of brakes
- Inadequate rules
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Classification of railway accidents
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 (1971) proposed an additional classification by causes; e.g. drivers errors, signalmens errors, mechanical faults. Similar categorisations had been made by implication in previous books e.g. Rolt (1956), but Stockerts and Schneider/Mases are more systematic and complete. With minor changes, they represent best knowledge.
Drivers errors
Classification of rail accidents by effects
Collisions- Head-on collision
- Rear collision
- Slanting collision
- Collisions with buffer stops
- Collisions with obstructions of the track (may also cause derailment)
- Plain track
- Curves
- Junctions
- Fires, explosions and release of hazardous chemicals (including sabotage/terrorism)
- People falling from trains, collisions with people on tracks
Classification of rail accidents by causes
Trespassing railway tracks
- 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.
- Allowing two trains into same occupied block section
- Incorrect operation of signals, points or token equipment
- 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
- Track (permanent way) faults
- Bridge and tunnel collapses
- Poor track or junction layout
- 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, 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
- Track obstruction or damage by landslides, 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.
- Strength of rolling stock
- Fire hazards or dangerous goods in the train, in involved road vehicles or the vicinity
- Effectiveness of brakes
- Inadequate rules
