Overview of Freight Train Derailments in the EU: Causes, Impacts, Prevention and Mitigation Measures

Abstract

The European Railway Agency (ERA) has estimated that over 500 freight train derailments are happening every year on open line, costing the EU27 Member States more than 200 million Euros per year. Given the projected freight market growth in Europe, it is essential to ensure the reduction of the number of freight train derailments. The paper summarises the most relevant results achieved within the first part of the European FP7 funded project D-RAIL, which aims to make significant improvements in the detection and prevention of derailments, and the mitigation of their subsequent effects. It presents a comprehensive overview of recent mainline freight train derailments in Europe (with a major focus on their causes and impacts), and an extensive investigation on supervision and monitoring systems and their efficiency. This work also provides conclusions and recommendations to the safety authorities and European key organisations, responsible for accident reporting methodologies and impact analysis.