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points by wewtyflakes 8 hours ago | 0 comments

Why is it that these fatal train accidents have happened multiple times in Spain, but never in Japan, even though Japan has been doing it high speed rail longer, and at 10x the passenger volume than Spain? Do they have some alien safety technology unavailable to Spain?

[–] 1718627440 7 hours ago

The were several other train accidents, where it was found out, that the drivers have made races, who can stay above the speed limit longer. But I think that was already in the 90s. There is/was definitely something at fault with the safety culture.

But there was a recent incident in Germany as well (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgrain_train_derailment), which is somewhat similar to the earlier accident in Spain this year. Targeting high value projects, while not paying for proper maintenance is not something that only happens in a single country.

[–] wewtyflakes 6 hours ago

Yes, you can say that high-speed rail crashes are not limited to one country (though Spain has had multiple this year alone), but you can't say that it has ever happened in Japan. So for you to argue up and down this thread that everyone calling out issues with Spanish high speed rail safety is wrong, as if it is some sort of intractable problem, is bananas.

[–] 1718627440 6 hours ago

I have not stated anything that is specific to Spain in this thread? I do think there is something wrong with the safety culture in Spain, I mean obviously, there was an accident.

> but you can't say that it has ever happened in Japan.

That sounds very unlikely to me, and in fact Wikipedia indicates otherwise: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shigaraki_train_disaster

[–] wewtyflakes 5 hours ago

That is not a high-speed rail line... so, no?

[–] 1718627440 5 hours ago

Ok, so railway safety for me doesn't stop at the end of high-speed lines. But, maybe Japan does indeed clear the measure you suggested, so congratulations to Japan, I guess?

[–] wewtyflakes 4 hours ago

Yup, so it seems that high-speed rail safety is not an unsolved problem. Wonder what the lessons are? Hmm...

[–] 1718627440 4 hours ago

"Sadly" anything involving safety with humans is never a solved problem, because safety culture needs continuing training and effort.

[–] eldaisfish 7 hours ago

indeed. Japan is a compliance and shame based society. that alone is the foundation of a very strong safety culture, something that southern europe is famous for lacking.

[–] 1718627440 7 hours ago

> that alone is the foundation of a very strong safety culture

It's a mixed bag. That can also cause safety violations, they were suicidal incidents, because punctuality is placed over safety, in Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amagasaki_derailment

[–] naranjito 3 hours ago

The train to control center calls leaked, and they not sound like aircontrol talk we have heard latelly, more like "meh, paperwork". People! You are handling multi-ton things capable of going faster than 300 Km/h.

Japan railway crew have stricter procedures when they are alone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointing_and_calling