# The Future Direction of Railway Traffic Safety Measures - From the Ninth Fundamental Traffic Safety Program

## 1 Basic Concept

Since railways are a mode of transport essential to the daily life of the people, as they are used to transport vast amounts of people and goods speedily and on time, it is necessary to aim for more secure and stable rail transport that can safely be used by the public and to continue to promote various comprehensive safety measures, such as measures against the serious train accidents and accidents on platforms.

## 2 Objectives

To reduce the number of passenger fatalities to zero.

To reduce the overall number of death accidents during operations.

## 3 Measures

### 1. Viewpoints

Although the operations accidents with railways are on a decline in the long term, aiming for a stable and more secure rail transport, along with the prevention of serious train accidents and prevention of accidents where the users are concerned, the government should implement effective measures while promoting various traffic safety policies from a comprehensive viewpoint.

### 2. Measures to be taken

1) Improving the railway traffic environment

To secure the safety of railway traffic, the government needs to maintain a high level of reliability for railway facilities such as railway tracks and operational safety facilities, and build the foundation of safety for the whole of their systems. For achieving this, safety measures should be implemented by ensuring the maintenance management of railway facilities.

## 2 ) Promoting diffusion of knowledge about railway traffic safety

Through the improvement of displays of methods of proper use of safety equipment, easy-to-understand safety knowledge will be accurately provided to the users. In addition, cooperation with relevant organizations, the government will actively carry out publicity and educational activities in schools, among people living along railway lines and among road transport companies, through events such as the National Traffic Safety Campaign.

## 3 ) Securing safe railway operation

Safety measures in the event of an earthquake, and the enhancement of weather information, should be promoted. In addition, security audits of railway operators will be conducted, with appropriate guidance, for quick and accurate response in the event of an occurrence of a large-scale accident.

## 4 ) Ensuring railway vehicle safety

Taking into account the progress of science and technology, the technical standards on the safety of the railway vehicle structures and equipment should be properly reviewed on timely basis. In addition, measures to reduce damage for passengers the crew in the event of an accident, and the examination of measures to prevent malfunctioning of electronic equipment of rail vehicles will be performed and their utilization will be promoted.

## 5 ) Enhancing rescue and emergency services systems

In order to promote prompt and effective evacuation, rescue and emergency services in the event of a serious railway accident, the government will work to improve disaster drills at major stations, and strengthen systems of closer liaison and cooperation between railway operators and fire services, medical institutions and other relevant bodies.

## 6 ) Promoting victims support

With the participation of victim organizations, the government will consider the nature of systems such as: the contents of assistance sought by traffic accident victims in Japan, the nature of