A Study on the Prevention of Train Accidents Caused by Heavy Rains

폭우로 인한 열차사고 예방에 관한 연구

The specific feature of trains as a means of transportation is that, on one side, at once they can carry big loads but, at the same time, if an accident occurs, it potentially leads to many human casualties or big material losses. Especially, train accidents caused by bad weather conditions result in many fatal losses of human lives and property. In Korea many railways run either in mountainous areas or along rivers thus making them especially susceptible to natural hazards. The types of damages inflicted by heavy rains resulting from rapidly changing meteorological conditions are diverse; and not only their scope is big but also they repeat regularly. Consequently, this study analyses the reasons why such effects of heavy rains on the railway conditions, damage to the railways caused by heavy rains or cases of stone fall as well as other types of accidents are not avoided. Study also, on the basis of laws related to movement in poor weather conditions and specifics of train braking, identifies systematic and technical problems and suggests and emphasizes new complex measures on their prevention.