Conditions affecting safety on the Swedish railway – Train drivers' experiences and perceptions. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Forsberg, Rebecca
• Is Part Of: Safety science. Volume 85(2016)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 59
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Infrastructure -- Privatization -- Safety culture -- Qualitative research -- Protection/technical system; Industrial accidents -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Travail -- Accidents -- Périodiques; 363.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2015.12.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-7535

Abstract

Highlights: The structural changes imply flaws in responsibility, deteriorated tracks and impaired safety culture. New challenges have entered the arena which can be attributed to new electronics such as tablets and mobile phones. The protection systems such as ATC and ERTMS are seen as a high-quality safeguard for safety. Abstract: Major changes have been implemented in recent years within the rail bound sector. There is, therefore, a need to consider if and how these large alterations affect rail safety. The aim of the study was to explore train drivers' experiences and perceptions of conditions affecting safety of the Swedish railway system. Narrative semi-structured interviews were performed with ten train drivers. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interviews. The results were captured in two main categories: (1) Facing structural changes includes results unclarity in responsibility assignment, deteriorated tracks and insufficient safety culture and (2) facing technology development, covered safety systems such as ATC and ERTMS which were seen as high-quality safeguards with both benefits and challenges due to new technical devices. The new challenges that have entered the arena should be offset by increased coordination and by a party responsible for safety within the industry. Finally, restrictions and regulations regarding the use of the tablets and smart phones are desirable.