RAIL RISK BEST PRACTICE – CROSS SECTORAL LESSONS TO BE LEARNED? 2007
ABSTRACT
What does one of the oldest forms of public transport have to offer one of the newest? This paper examines this question by comparing the various best practice approaches to risk assessment within the rail industry to that of the spaceflight industry. By examining risk assessment and risk management approaches to publicaccountable operations, specific techniques and processes that present sectoral best-practice can be presented. Specifically, the paper explores common tools and methods used to conduct and implement risk assessment, comparing these with the approaches adopted within specific space agencies involved in human spaceflight. Additionally, this paper highlights any substantial differences, such as the use of primarily quantitative methods by the railway sector and the use of qualitative methods by the spaceflight sector, and proposes which unique risk assessment method would provide a best fit for adoption by these agencies. Finally, an overview of the existing safety assessment and management approaches for human spaceflight are provided, with the end result being an explanation of the different ways to approach vehicle and payload risk management/assessment.
– Paul Bews, Mercedes Gonzalez-Palacio, Mark Davis, Andrew Herd, “Rail Risk Best Practice – Cross Sectoral Lessons to be Learned?” 2007.