Proposition of a formal model for crisis management in the context of high-speed train networks in border areas

Abstract

TRA 2018, 7th Transport Research Arena, Vienne, AUTRICHE, 16-/04/2018 - 19/04/2018; Especially in inter-country areas, Crisis Management (CM) faces several challenges. Thorough preparation and anticipation are crucial organizational tools to address those challenges and enable proper reaction to crises. CM requires the joint effort of various stakeholders from different countries: public authorities, private companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), etc. need to collaborate under specific, locally different regulations. The present paper includes a brief introduction to the state of the art of CM of international railways with special regard to the topics partnerships, leadership & communication as well as training. As part of a research project, a survey with international crisis management experts was conducted. Based on the survey results, a handbook containing transnational recommendations regarding the involved stakeholders and their responsibilities is developed. Of course, existing CM concepts of relevant organizations are taken into consideration for the development. The handbook was discussed with end-users in the course of a project workshop. In addition, when the crisis management is required, the response is coordinated within the framework of the National Crisis Management System (NCMS). The cooperation between these NCMSs leads to the concept of System-of-Systems (SoS). Based on Supervision Control Theory (SCT), we propose a formal model built from decomposition of NCMSs using a multi-model approach. The resulted framework offers a global view of the SoS and resolves problems of system's dependence and of operating mode management. The proposed model is designed by using the High Level Petri Nets (HLPNs) formalism and is illustrated with a crisis of a railway system. The main result of this paper is the comprehensive knowledge of current crisis management strategies in the context of cross-border incidents. Weaknesses in the existing system are identified and two approaches that seek to enhance CM are introduced.