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Potential culprits in derailments: How do cracked rails cause disaster?
Derailment accidents are a serious problem in the transportation sector, especially in rail transport. According to statistics, although derailment accidents are sometimes minor, each one will have an impact on the normal operation of the railway system and may cause serious danger. Currently, there are many factors that cause train derailments, ranging from collision with objects, operational errors to mechanical failures, among which broken rails are considered to be a major potential culprit.
Historical BackgroundCracked rails and welds are the most common cause of train derailments, accounting for more than 15 percent of all derailments, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.
The first recorded train derailment occurred on November 8, 1833 at Hayterstown. The train was traveling between Hightstown and Spotswood, New Jersey, when it derailed due to a broken hub. The accident resulted in one death and twenty-three injuries. This incident attracted widespread attention from the society at that time and became the beginning of railway safety.
The link between broken rails and derailments
Broken rails are one of the main causes of derailment accidents. Once the rails break, it will affect the running stability of the train and may cause the train to derail. Generally, the running surface of a railroad track needs to remain continuous and conform to a geometric layout. If a section of track breaks, the operation of the train will be seriously affected.
In the UK, Network Rail reported 170 broken (not cracked) rails in 2008, a significant drop from a peak of 988 in 1998/1999.
Causes of Rail Breakage
Railway fractures can be caused by a variety of factors, including mechanical failure, environmental factors and unpredictable external impacts. For example, climate change could cause metal fatigue, making rail tracks structurally weaker. Besides, poor track maintenance can also be one of the reasons leading to track breakage.
Other factors of mechanical failure
In addition to broken rails, train derailments can also be caused by other mechanical failures, including wheel failure. Wheels are an important factor in determining whether a train can run safely. If the performance of the wheels decreases due to poor lubrication or other reasons, the risk of derailment increases. Advances in modern technology have reduced this risk to some extent, but it still cannot be completely avoided.
Improper operation and control system
In railways, improper operation is also one of the important reasons leading to derailment. In particular, improper operation of switches (also called points) may cause trains to enter the wrong route. In this case, even a small mistake could have fatal consequences. This emphasizes the importance of accurate operation of the control system.
Conclusion
The causes of the derailment accident are complex and broken rails are undoubtedly a key issue. Faced with this problem, railway operators need to take extra precautions to protect the safety of passengers and reduce the occurrence of accidents. With the advancement of technology, is it possible to find more flexible and efficient solutions to prevent these accidents in the future?
