FREIGHT WAGON FAILURES AS A BASIS FOR SAFETY-ORIENTED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT UNDER EUROPEAN RAILWAY REGULATIONS

Abstract

The technical condition of freight wagons has a direct impact on railway safety and maintenance efficiency. This paper presents an analysis of failures recorded during technical inspections of freight wagons operated by Serbia Cargo and rented wagons over the period from September 2022 to January 2024. A database of recorded defects was analysed using descriptive statistical methods to identify the most failure-prone wagon subsystems and evaluate their significance for safety-oriented maintenance management. The results show that the brake system represents the most critical subsystem, accounting for 36% of failures in Serbia Cargo wagons and 56% in rented wagons. Brake block wear was identified as the dominant failure mode, while failures of pneumatic and mechanical brake components may directly affect braking performance and operational safety. A simplified Failure Mode Analysis (FMA) was performed to assess the risk associated with the most critical brake component failures. The findings indicate that systematic analysis of technical inspection data provides valuable support for risk-based maintenance planning in accordance with the Common Safety Methods (CSM) and the responsibilities of the Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM). The proposed maintenance and organizational measures contribute to improving railway safety and harmonizing maintenance practices with European railway regulations.