AP26199023 – Methodology for assessing the effectiveness of the safety management system of carriers on public and non-public railway tracks

Objective of the project – to support sustainable transport by developing a methodology to evaluate DBMS effectiveness for carriers and access road owners. Grounded in international standards and risk management principles, the methodology seeks to reduce railway traffic safety costs while maintaining high safety standards.

Relevance: The relevance of this project is driven by the critical role of transport in achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in terms of safety, efficiency, and resilience. International frameworks such as the UN Agenda 2030 emphasize the need to ensure sustainable transport systems. However, current data show significant safety challenges in the railway sector, with hundreds of recorded incidents annually. A large proportion of these violations is associated with private carriers and other participants in the transportation process, highlighting systemic issues in safety management. The increasing number of private operators further complicates the situation due to the lack of standardized evaluation criteria. Therefore, the project is highly relevant as it aims to develop scientifically grounded methods for assessing safety management systems, supporting safer and more sustainable railway transport development.

Scientific supervisor: Doctor of technical sciences, Professor, Abdullayev Seidulla Seidemetovich

Expected and achieved results: The project achieved significant results in analyzing and improving safety management systems (SMS) in railway transport. A comprehensive assessment of the current state of the national carrier’s SMS was conducted in accordance with international best practices. Key safety violations and their root causes were identified, along with a structured list of risks associated with railway transport operations. The study defined the structure of mandatory operational processes that directly influence traffic safety. A comparative analysis of safety performance indicators across different countries was also carried out. A scientifically grounded set of requirements for SMS was developed based on the criteria of completeness and maturity. For the first time, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was applied to evaluate factors affecting railway safety and to assess risks under Kazakhstan’s railway conditions. A comprehensive system of SMS evaluation criteria was established, including safety indicators, process performance metrics, and effectiveness indicators. In addition, safety violations from 2019 to 2024 were identified and systematically analyzed for both public and private railway infrastructure. The structure of the national carrier’s SMS was described in detail, including all key production processes. Ongoing collaboration with the Safety Department of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy supports further improvement of SMS evaluation methods. The developed models and methodologies are planned to be applied in certification and auditing processes for railway carriers.