80% of railway incidents are due to subjective factors and weak control.
Cameras will be installed in every locomotive, railcar, and railway station.
Additional functionality will be added to the GPS train speed control system, notifying carriers and train dispatchers of speeding. Mobile GSM operators will be required to increase transmitter coverage in areas with weak signal.
These are some of the short-term measures to be implemented within 6 months to improve railway transport safety.
The report of the working group appointed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov was discussed today at a meeting in the Ministry of Transport, attended by representatives of "BDZ - Passenger Transport" EOOD, "BDZ - Cargo Transport" EOOD, Holding BDZ EAD, National Railway Infrastructure Company (NKZI), Railway Administration Executive Agency, the Railway Accident Investigation Board, and others.
A database will also be created for the current level of railway transport safety and for safety violations in key positions. The goal is to limit the recurrence of violations because data shows that 80% of railway incidents are due to subjective factors and weak control.
Within a month, the organizational structure will be simplified, and a ban on movement will be introduced in sections where there is no working signaling equipment. Personnel safety breaks will be strictly observed, and a complete ban on secondary employment will be imposed on employees responsible for safety. All modernization and rehabilitation projects must now include a safety report.
NKZI must develop and propose a two-year plan to replace the oldest train operation management systems to eliminate subjective interference and data manipulation.
Long-term measures address the problem of the educational and qualification level of personnel in key railway professions.
Deputy Prime Minister Karadzhov stated that after the plan is finally approved, he will expect a detailed plan from each company regarding the deadlines for implementing the measures. He will also require weekly progress reports.
