Evaluating Regional Rail Transit Safety: A Matter-Element Analysis Method

We propose a comprehensive method based on matter-element analysis for evaluating the safety of regional rail transit systems objectively and quantitatively. Using the main factors affecting the safety of regional rail transit, a safety level evaluation index system is constructed from the perspective of “human-machine-environment-management” and quantitative calculation methods for each index are described. A comprehensive evaluation model for the safety level is established using the matter-element analysis method in extension theory. The model considers expert knowledge and data objectivity and uses an improved entropy weight method to determine index weights. The proposed model can be applied to multi-level evaluation objects. With an evaluation of the whole system or a single index, risk control measures can be enacted appropriately. Using actual operations data from a regional urban metropolis in China, the validity and practicality of the model were verified. The comparison with the actual situation verifies that the proposed model can evaluate the safety level of the network effectively and comprehensively.