DAMMAM, 18 March 2003 — Railway safety experts from 13 countries yesterday concluded a three-day conference on the hazardous effect of sand movement on railway tracks, recommending three measures to counter the problem.
Thirteen papers, most of them dealing with shifting sand and its effect on rail movement, were presented at the conference held at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Representatives of Sudan, Egypt and Syria were among those who attended.
Safety experts said that most of the train accidents in the Arab and African countries were caused by the accumulation of sand on the rail track and various methods adopted by these countries had failed to provide any tangible result. “It was therefore imperative for all of us to sit together and find a lasting and effective solution to the crisis,” said Khaled Al-Yahya, president of the Saudi Railways Organization.
He said that the conference was a huge success as experts and participants discussed the problem in detail and presented various recommendations. The conference in its final communique stressed on three possible means to contain sand from reaching the tracks. Among the three measures, the experts first listed mechanical means which they said was found effective in several countries. They also suggested chemical means to stop sand movement.
But the main thrust of the conference was on biological means, that is plantation of trees near the railway track.
“This is a long term solution and will eventually prove more effective,” said an expert at the conference.
A railway exhibition was held on the sideline which was opened by Al-Yahya. The exhibition depicted the development of Saudi Railways over the years and its future plans.
