R2021-S1 Accidents and incidents occurring in urban rail traffic

30.06.2021

On 1 July 2021, the Safety Investigation Authority, Finland decided to initiate a themed investigation under Section 2 of the Safety Investigation Act (525/2011) into accidents and incidents occurring in urban rail traffic. Accidents and incidents occurring in metro and tram traffic during a period of six (6) months from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022 will be included in the investigation.

During the investigation, information will be gathered and a concise report will be written in accordance with separate instructions on approximately 20 cases involving:

1. Metro traffic (Helsinki City Transport)

1.1 Accidents

• Collision
• Derailment
• Fire
• Personal injury

1.2 Incidents

• Equipment failure that affects safety
• Track equipment or electrified line equipment failure
• Safety device failure
• Unauthorised movement
• Incorrect route
• Wayside initiated emergency braking not functioning

2. Tram traffic (Helsinki City Transport and Tampere Tramway Ltd.)

2.1 Accidents

• Collision
• Derailment
• Fire
• Personal injury

2.2 Incidents

• Equipment failure that affects safety
• Track equipment or electrified line equipment failure
• Safety device failure.

If a serious accident should occur in metro or tram traffic during the themed investigation, it will be investigated separately with its own investigation report and decision to initiate an investigation. The information gathered from it will also be included in the themed investigation.

The investigation will be initiated before the actual review period by gathering background material and studying the operating environments.

Train driving expert Ilkka Noranta is appointed as the Head of the Investigation Team, and rail traffic expert (starting from 1 November 2021, Safety Investigator) Mikko Tikkanen, Safety Specialist Matti Katajala, Martti Peräaho, Master of Arts (Psychology), and urban rail traffic expert Erkki Mutka are appointed as members. Chief Rail Safety Investigator Esko Värttiö will be the Investigator-in-Charge until 31 October 2021, while Chief Safety Investigator Lasse Laatta will take the position starting from 1 November 2021.

Under section 24 of the Safety Investigation Act (525/2011), individual cases will also be investigated and information gathered by the following specialists: Jussi Kangasmaa, Master of Engineering, Timo Kivelä, Bachelor of Engineering, train driving expert Timo Koli, railway expert Sakari K Salo, fire chief Jaakko Niskala, Olli Himanen, Master of Arts (Psychology), train driver Emmi Kirvesmäki, Sergeant (ret.) Petri Pelkonen, Sergeant (ret.) Tapani Saarinen and Kari Ylönen, Master of Political Science.

The Head of Investigation Team will coordinate the investigation and the information gathering.