Assessment of Societal Vulnerability in Case of Power Failure in Rail Network

Abstract

Vulnerability means the degree to which a reference object can withstand external or internal threats. The reference object can have a human, material character. The article will address the societal vulnerability due to a power failure in the rail network, and a specific event will be described in the form of a case study. Each part of the railway network, whether it be a depot, a station, a terminal, or others, is largely dependent on the supply of the electricity network to its functional elements in the system. To assess vulnerability, it should be quantified using available methods. Adequate measures must be taken to reduce vulnerability and a comprehensive protection system must be developed. These measures may be of organizational, methodological, or operational origin, but may also be a part of the system, such as subject protection, spatial protection, shell protection, or perimeter protection.

Keywords

• social vulnerability
• power failure
• railway station