The subject of the study is the high accident rate on Soviet railways in the 1930s and the measures implemented to reduce it. The object of the research includes administrative, political, and technical solutions aimed at ensuring train traffic safety. The author examines in detail the causes of railway accidents, associated with both human factors and the technical condition of rolling stock and infrastructure. Special attention is paid to state measures to reduce human error, including organizational changes and regulatory improvements. The study analyzes specific cases of accidents recorded in archival sources, illustrating problematic aspects of railway operations. It also considers the development and implementation of new technical devices that played a key role in the evolution of the sector. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive analysis of archival documents, statistical data, and documented railway accidents, enabling identification of accident causes and evaluation of implemented measures. The novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of the interaction between scientific and technological progress, administrative decisions, and organizational measures in ensuring railway safety. A special contribution of the author is the identification of the link between improved technical equipment, infrastructure modernization, and regulatory development. The main conclusions are that the technological progress of the 1930s became a significant stage in railway development, enhancing reliability and efficiency. Despite implementation challenges, the Soviet railway safety system proved effective due to the multifaceted and interconnected nature of measures. A comprehensive approach including organizational reforms, technical innovations, regulatory improvements, and strict enforcement was the key factor in reducing accidents and creating conditions for sustainable long-term railway development.
Arina Sergeevna Polyakova (Mon,) studied this question.