Selected Aspects of Research on Railway Transport Safety

This article showcases the findings of research conducted at the Faculty of Transport, Electrotechnics, and Informatics of the Technological-Humanistic University in Radom. Initially, it delves into a statistical analysis of measurements procured during automatic ultrasonic testing. By integrating these measurements with distinct features of the diagnostic method and fusing differential coding with traditional lossless compression techniques (like Huffman and dictionary coding), a potent measurement compression algorithm was developed. This algorithm subsequently found application in railway track diagnostics. The primary objective of this article is to illustrate this algorithm's efficiency and benchmark its advantages against other compression techniques. Subsequently, the paper delineates the design of a system tailored for collating operational data and evaluating the reliability and safety of railway automation systems. This concept was actualized under the auspices of a project sponsored by the National Center for Research and Development, PBS3/A6/29/2015. A spotlight will be thrown on the software that acts as an integrative tool, assimilating data from various systems. In its final segments, the article discusses the initiative to harness open systems, premised on the PN-EN 50159:2011 standard, to bolster the safety standards of railway transportation. The first one resulted from the maximum train speed, the second one is the variety of rolling stock used on this line (compartmental and non-compartmental wagons). The part of research concerning collection of measurement material was performed within the framework of completed research work PBS3/A6/29/2015. As a result of conducted in-depth literature analysis as well as performed measurements and calculations, it allowed to develop a model and software for simulating system operation in real conditions. A prototype of this system, accompanied by select research outcomes from railway routes, will be laid out. Ultimately, the article seeks to emphasize the significance of diverse research endeavors that hold the potential to directly enhance the safety and operational efficiency of railway transport.