China, People's Republic of : Railway Safety Enhancement Project

Transport / Rail transport (non-urban)

The Project will help develop an efficient, safe, reliable, and competitive railway transport system in the PRC. The outcome of the Project will be an efficient and effective railway emergency management system on the PRC railway network. This will be achieved by introducing safe, reliable, energy-efficient and environment-friendly technologies and providing capacity building support for staff training which will help in developing a more responsive, quicker, and efficient rescue and restoration system for dealing with emergencies on the PRC railways.

The Project comprises of (i) supply and installation of railway emergency rescue and restoration equipment, (ii) capacity building and training, and (iii) institutional development. The key inputs needed for project implementation include supply of equipment, training and MOR staff.

The Project reflects ADB's railway sector operational strategy for the PRC, which includes reducing railway network constraints to promote sustainable economic growth in poor areas, not served by railways, and introduce modern technology to enhance safety in railway operations. The components are formulated in line with MOR's 2004 railway development plan and 11th Five Year Plan (2006-2010)

Delays in rescue and inefficient restoration are two factors contributing to loss of lives, heavy damages and prolonged disruption of traffic movement on the PRC railway network, and two of the constraints preventing the railways from capitalizing on its comparative advantages.

The Project will introduce new and modern technology for responding more quickly to emergencies taking less restoration time, and enhancing safety; provide capacity building support for handling emergencies more efficiently; and provide an institutional framework for developing a quick responsive and efficient emergency rescue and restoration system on the PRC railway network. This will help improve safety, reliability, and reduce downtime, all of which will help achieve higher standards of railway safety productivity and line capacity.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) strategy for the railway sector focuses on helping (i) expand the railway system by constructing new lines in unserved, less-developed areas; (ii) modernize, enhance safety and increase capacity to improve efficiency on key routes of the national railway system; (iii) commercialize railway operations to sustain efficient operations; and (iv) increase railway competitiveness in the transport sector through restructuring and reform. ADB has focused on the development of railways in poor, less-developed inland provinces to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty. ADB has provided 14 loans totaling about $2.9 billion to finance the construction of about 1,921 km of eight provincial railways operated by joint ventures with MOR, and 5,541 km of new railway lines under the six national railway projects. The Project, designed to promote economic growth by providing safe and efficient railway transportation in the PRC, is consistent with the PRC's development priorities and the ADB strategy.

1. Modern emergency rescue and restoration centers established

2. Corporate governance strengthened

3. Institutional capacity strengthened

All sets of equipment have been installed and in operation.

Completed.

166 rescue and restoration centers were developed.

Comprehensive rescue training being undertaken every year for 18 rescue and restoration centers.

Tranings undertaken to enhance staff's capacity for rescue and restoration.