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Mapping high-speed railway accidents 2000-2024: characteristics, patterns, and preventive measures
Dai Wan-Lin1, Shan Ming2, Zhai Zhao3
1Research Student, Department of Engineering Management, School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, 22 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha, China.
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|September 23, 2025
Summary
High-speed railway accidents are increasingly common, with equipment failures being the primary cause. This study analyzes global accident patterns to propose enhanced safety measures for railway operations.
Area of Science:
- Railway Engineering
- Transportation Safety
- Accident Analysis
Background:
- Global expansion of high-speed railways leads to more frequent operational accidents.
- A critical analysis of high-speed railway accidents over the past two decades is lacking in current literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the characteristics and patterns of global high-speed railway accidents.
- To propose feasible preventive measures for improving railway safety.
Main Methods:
- Collected data on 150 high-speed railway accidents worldwide (2000-2024).
- Performed content analysis on accident dates, locations, casualties, causes, and types.
- Utilized contingency table tests to assess correlations between accident type, casualty, cause, and country.
Main Results:
- Equipment factors (41.61%) were the leading cause, followed by human (33.58%) and environmental factors (24.82%).
- Derailment and collision accidents were the most frequent and severe types.
- Significant correlations were found between accident type and casualty/cause.
Conclusions:
- Understanding accident patterns is crucial for enhancing high-speed railway safety.
- Findings provide insights for developing effective preventive measures to ensure safe railway operations.
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