Trackwork safety and pinpointing the location must be developed

The Safety Investigation Authority has completed its investigation of the collision of a freight train with a trackwork machine between Kesälahti and Puhos on 9 December 2019. There were no personal injuries, but the trackwork machine was badly damaged and the corner of the obstruction clearing device of the locomotive suffered damage. The rail and the track equipment did not suffer damage.

The freight train approached the site of the accident from the direction of Puhos. The operator of the drilling machine used in trackwork was operating the machine standing sideways with the back towards the direction of the freight train. The drilling machine operator glanced back and noticed the approaching train, after which the operator shouted a warning to the colleague on site and tried to steer the machine off the track. The engine driver perceived the machine as well as the two persons, after which the driver gave a sound signal and braked. Slightly before the collision, the drilling machine operator let go of the machine and moved off the rails. The front corner of the locomotive hit the drilling machine’s front left corner. The machine rolled down the embankment and into the spruce trees next to the track.

The train stopped on the rails, and the parties involved checked that no one had been injured in the collision. No rescue operations were needed, and the police did not visit the site.

Deficiencies were found in the location of trackwork, and the voice communications between the traffic controller and the trackwork supervisor did not work well enough to confirm the location of the work correctly. The map in the system used for trackwork does not support the identification of the trackwork site either; instead, traffic controllers must use several different information systems and their maps.

The incident now being investigated is not an isolated case. Currently, centralised traffic control does not have certain and accurate information on where trackwork is in progress. It poses a significant risk to both train traffic as well as track workers, and this cannot continue, Professor Veli-Pekka Nurmi demands.

The deficiencies in trackwork safety require measures to be taken. The use of GPS positioning and developing its features in particular are in a key position when talking about improving the safety of trackwork, Investigator-in-charge Esko Värttiö adds.

Based on the investigation, the Safety Investigation Authority issues a total of four safety recommendations. It is recommended that the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) ensure that the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency makes the use of GPS positioning mandatory in locating trackwork and issues instructions to also use location markers and track elements in the voice communications between centralised traffic control and the trackwork supervisor, if necessary. In addition, it must be ensured that the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency harmonises the maps used for locating trackwork and emphasises competence assurance in auditing the training of trackwork companies.

Further information:

Esko Värttiö, Chief Rail Safety Investigator, Investigator-in-Charge tel. +358 2951 50708

Veli-Pekka Nurmi, Director, Professor tel. +358 2951 50701