SAFETY ASPECTS OF RAILWAY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PLANS WITHIN THE EUROPEAN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Maintenance of railway vehicles constitutes a fundamental control function within the Safety Management System (SMS), with direct implications for system reliability and risk mitigation. Deficiencies in maintenance planning may result in unmitigated risks and compromised operational safety. EN 17023 provides a structured framework for compliance with Directive (EU) 2016/798 and Regulation (EU) 2019/779 governing Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM), particularly regarding traceability, documentation, and continuous improvement based on operational feedback. This study evaluates the role of EN 17023 in enhancing safety through the integration of a systematic feedback loop between in-service failure data and maintenance planning. Although failure data is routinely collected through technical inspection reports, its integration into maintenance optimization remains limited. The analysis is based on empirical data obtained from official Technical Wagon Inspection (TWI) points of Užice between September 2022 and January 2024. The results demonstrate that implementing risk-informed, data-driven maintenance strategies (supported by targeted inspections of critical components) significantly improves safety performance and system reliability. The proposed approach facilitates alignment with EU regulatory frameworks, including ECM certification and the Common Safety Method (CSM), thereby enhancing safety levels in railway operations.