RESISTANCE AND SAFETY OF THE RAILWAY TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE CONTEXT OF DISRUPTIONS OCCURRING DURING RAIL FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

This article presents an approach to planning rail freight transport taking into account the disruptions that occur during their implementation. The issues raised are related to the multi-aspect perception of factors influencing the organization of transport, in which immunity and safety play significant roles. The authors present an analysis of disruptions relating to the causes and effects of adverse events for selected traffic and operational parameters, including delays of freight trains in Poland from 2019-2022. The analysis of adverse events (accidents and serious accidents) in the rail transport system made it possible to present the rates of accidents when crossing tracks in prohibited places, at crossings on the public and separate networks, related to signals passed at danger events, and related to track works and the technical condition of rolling stock. In the case of the effects of adverse events, a rate was determined for freight train delays. The authors also developed a method for determining the value of disruptions in rail freight transport. A case study containing disruption quantification for a given freight train route is presented. The article emphasizes that a significant challenge in the rail transport sector is the proper organization of the operational activities of railway carriers concerning disruptions occurring during transport.