Methodological Framework for Assessing and Strengthening the Resistance of Railway Critical Infrastructure Elements

Abstract

The concept of resilience is one of the crucial factors for protecting elements of railway critical infrastructure. The resilience of prevention is generally known as a key phase from time perspective. This is determined by resistance which can be defined by the ability of the system to prevent occurring of disruptive events. Increasing the level of critical infrastructure elements resistance could minimize the likelihood of disruptive events and resulting damages. Currently, however there is no comprehensive procedure for strengthening the resistance in the railway critical infrastructure sector. This paper considers methodology for assessing and strengthening resistance in the critical infrastructure systems and its applicability when compiling functional procedures for assessing and strengthening resistance of railway critical infrastructure elements. The essence of this paper is also the definition of methodological-logical framework with all its requirements for defining a suitable procedure included. The methodological framework is composed of semi-quantitative methods that can be applied in the prevention phase or transformed into the given phase. The framework as the main starting point is developed. Basic findings into perception of the new concept of critical infrastructure resistance are provided.