Revealing Causal Factors Influencing Sustainable and Safe Navigation in Central Europe

Abstract

Even though inland navigation represents the safest transport mode, consequences of accidents are significantly higher, because of the larger quantities of cargo transported, compared with the conventional means of transport. Accidents in inland waterways are a regular phenomenon throughout the year, causing deaths, injuries, and monetary loss, and endangering the environment. At present, comprehensive research on inland navigation accidents including their causes and consequences is lacking. For this purpose, data about real accidents on the Danube River were collected and analysed in this study. This paper provides a comprehensive study of the hazards (causal factors) and resulting risks in inland waterway transport. Two methods were applied to fulfil the aim—a cause and effect diagram, used for hazard identification, and a risk matrix, used for risk assessment. The analysis confirmed the presence of recurring hazards, resulting mainly from human behaviour. This study can be used for the methodology and design of preventive measures to ensure safe inland navigation.