The use of the semi-quantitative classification method of assessment of the efficacy of safety systems for the railway technical rescue system

Abstract

Much research shows that over-expansion of safety systems can be irrational and counter-effective. To avoid this, it is necessary to define a method for assessing the effectiveness of the implemented risk reduction measures. This article presents the adaptation of a previously developed method of this type to the nature of the operation of the railway rescue teams. It uses a hierarchical classification system of safety measures that is used as a basis on which their effectiveness is determined. The way how the method should be implemented is presented on the example of 28 selected tools used by rescue teams operating within the Polish railway infrastructure manager. Although the obtained results do not constitute a comprehensive solution to the problem of assessing the effectiveness of safety systems, they can nevertheless be used to support decisions taken in this area.