Transnet Freight Train Derailments

Transnet has strategies to manage train movements and investigate incidents to prevent derailments, and therefore, similar incidents should not reoccur. The aim of the study was to evolve a different approach for reducing the rate of freight train derailments experienced by Transnet by focusing on the methodology or processes that can be employed. A quantitative method was adopted, and operators and managers were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. The salient findings include operational challenges, including system failures; inadequate asset maintenance; and human behavior; inadequate communication; abnormal working of trains; poor track maintenance; signal passed at danger; and inadequate risk management. Conclusions include: ineffective investigations affect the accuracy of the findings, and the suitability of the recommendations, and the failure to implement recommendations from investigations contributes to the high number of train derailments and repeat occurrences. Recommendations include: Transnet to review depots' risk assessments effectively, and monitor implementation of the Board of Inquiry's (BOI) recommendations; all yards should have interlocking of points to avoid tampering, the system should automatically lock to avoid conflicting movements; maintenance resources should be adequate and ultrasonic inspection of track required to ensure compliance with applicable procedures.

Keywords: Derailments, Safety, Track maintenance, Trains.

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