EC TAKES THE LEAD IN SAFETY REGULATION

This article discusses the detailed examination of the way in which rail safety is managed in the EU, after the European Commission (EC) decided that common regulation of safety and standards is to be a crucial element in its drive to create a single market in rail transport. A draft Directive on Rail Safety is expected in 2000, which will have the explicit objectives of promoting open access and interoperability and reducing the numbers of fatalities and injuries. The study team reviewed existing rail safety regulation regimes (RSRRs) and liability standards, assessed the impact of differences, and recommended a common safety approach to rail transport in the EU, but it was not asked to compare accident rates in different member states. On the controversial issue of 'profits versus safety', the team's report concludes that commercial incentives are as likely to be good as bad for the safety level, as long as the regulatory regime is sound. However, commercial pressures have sometimes created incentives to shift costs and accountability to others, and some forms of subsidy can be bad for efficient safety provision. The team compared the national RSRRs in many dimensions, and considered EU regulations, the impacts of safety regulation, and regulation scope and style. The EC received its report favourably.

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• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

  Quadrant House, The Quadrant
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• Authors:
  • SPACKMAN, M
• Publication Date: 2000-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 487-90
• Serial:
  • Railway Gazette International
  • Volume: 156
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: DVV Media Group
  • ISSN: 0373-5346
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwaygazette.com/about-us.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Administration; Costs; Crash rates; Fatalities; Incentives; Injuries; Legislation; Policy; Prevention; Profits; Public transit; Railroad transportation; Safety
• Identifier Terms: European Union
• Uncontrolled Terms: Responsibility
• ITRD Terms: 9139: Accessibility; 1661: Accident prevention; 1612: Accident rate; 155: Administration; 224: Cost; 8303: EU; 1602: Fatality; 2163: Injury; 1556: Legislation; 173: Policy; 217: Profit; 744: Public transport; 1173: Rail bound transport; 2264: Responsibility; 1578: Reward (incentive); 1665: Safety
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Law; Policy; Public Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00799854
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 6 2000 12:00AM