Innovative Traffic Safety Measures Implemented in Szeged
First Bright Yellow Railway Trams Introduced in Hungary to Improve Safety
In a move to enhance safety and reduce accidents, Hungarian Railways (MÁV) has introduced bright yellow railway trams on the line from Hódmezővásárhely to Szeged in southern Hungary. The goal of this modification is to make the vehicles more visible to road traffic, ultimately decreasing the number of collisions and accidents on the railways.
Since the inception of the railway tram network, there have been a high number of collisions with road vehicles due to the inattention of drivers and non-compliance with traffic regulations. In 2022, there were 28 accidents involving trams, with 15 causing material damage. However, in 2025, there have been only four accidents so far, showcasing the reliability of the tram service, which typically maintains a punctuality rate of around 98 percent.
To address the frequency of accidents, the MÁV group initiated a pilot program to make the vehicles more conspicuous. Csongor Horváth, a trainee infrastructure engineer at MÁV and a student at Széchenyi István University, proposed the idea to improve safety, which was supported by the railway company. The bright yellow surfaces at both ends of the vehicles have been enhanced with foiling to make the trains more noticeable in urban environments.
The one-year trial period will evaluate the effectiveness of this new safety measure. If the number of accidents caused by inattentive drivers decreases, it could lead to significant cost savings for the railway company and increase the availability of rolling stock, which often requires repairs after accidents.
The average cost of repairs per accident ranges from HUF 500-800,000 (EUR 1,200-2,000), with damages amounting to around HUF 40 million (EUR 100,000) so far. The repair workshop now has replacement parts readily available for frequently damaged elements, reducing the average repair time to one or two days.
This innovative approach to improving safety on the railway trams in Hungary demonstrates a proactive effort to prioritize passenger and driver well-being while maintaining the efficiency and reliability of the public transport system.
