Safety Demands of Railroads as Reflected by Social Requirements.

The effects of engineering and technology on human life are considered. It is argued that engineering has not only multiplied life but also increased the value of life. It influences especially the basic life risk. By the criteria of proper responsibility and external responsibility, the risk problem of engineering is discussed. The safety level of technical systems is determined by empirical adaptation to risk acceptance and systematic analytical risk estimations. Due to technology changeover to electronics railroads should strive hard to control analytically and optimize the tension between safety and economy.