Railway System Challenges and Integrated Strategies for Improving Reliability and Operational Resilience

Aditya Wahyu Erlangga (Indonesian Railway Polytechnic, Jalan Tirta Raya Kota Madiun, Jawa Timur, Indonesia)
Ariq Naufal Rabbani (Indonesian Railway Polytechnic, Jalan Tirta Raya Kota Madiun, Jawa Timur, Indonesia)
Wahyu Tamtomo Adi (Indonesian Railway Polytechnic, Jalan Tirta Raya Kota Madiun, Jawa Timur, Indonesia)
Ayu Prativi (National Taiwan University, Roosevelt Rd, Xuefu Village, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan)

Sainstech Nusantara
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): February 2026

This study provides a comprehensive description of the problems affecting railway systems, including infrastructure failure, operational disruption and capacity constraints, ageing infrastructure and maintenance deficiencies, system integration challenges, governance and management issues, also funding and financial sustainability challenges. The findings were obtained through a systematic review of reputable national and international articles focusing on railway system problems, followed by full-text screening and classification of the selected articles. The review shows railway system problems are multidimensional and interrelated, comprising physical infrastructure failure, operational disruption caused by capacity limitations and accumulation of delays, component wear resulting from dynamic usage, weaknesses in governance and management, and vulnerability to external disturbances, all of which require an integrated approach to improve railway system reliability.