Railroad Accidents, Their Cause and Prevention

The author analyzes causes and prevention of railroad accidents using case examples and Interstate Commerce Commission statistics, demonstrating that employees suffer the majority of fatalities and injuries. He links accident frequency more closely to traffic density and supervision than to track length, proposes dividing accidents into four classes including unavoidable causes, and emphasizes better employee selection, training, oversight, and the adoption of safety appliances. The work argues that improved operational care and supervision will reduce human suffering, lower claims against carriers, and diminish operating losses.