Legal, Technical, Economic, and Organizational Issues of Emergency Repairs of Railway Infrastructure: A Case Study of Poland

Purpose: The purpose of this publication is to analyse and evaluate the multifaceted legal, technical, economic, and organizational issues associated with emergency repairs of railway infrastructure. Design/Methodology/Approach: Achieving this goal required an interdisciplinary approach to the topic and a multifaceted evaluation related to cost estimation and the impact of various technical and operational factors on the costs of emergency repairs. Additionally, an expert method was used to gather opinions on the implementation of emergency repairs of railway infrastructure. The study utilized results from previous scientific research and extensive experience from conducted judicial expert opinions. Findings: The article describes the essence and scope of work related to emergency repairs of railway infrastructure and conducts a multifaceted analysis and evaluation of the impact of individual factors on the costs of emergency repairs. The obtained research results and expert opinions provide answers to the legal aspects and the technical-organizational feasibility of implementing emergency repairs. Future research is necessary to continue examining legal and organizational changes in these repairs. Practical Implications: The article presents the essence of emergency repairs of railway infrastructure, which has been a constant practice in railway operations in Poland and beyond. This issue remains important and relevant, as past experiences indicate many contentious issues often end up in court, involving infrastructure owners, repair contractors, and insurers, with sometimes significant disputed amounts. Originality/Value: The publication uses original, long-term research on emergency repairs of railway infrastructure related to law, technology, economics, and management.