Risks in Technological Systems

Risks in Technological Systems is an interdisciplinary university textbook and a book for the educated reader on the risks of today's society. In order to understand and analyse risks associated with the engineering systems on which modern society relies, other concerns have to be addressed, besides technical aspects. In contrast to many academic textbooks dealing with technological risks, this book has a unique interdisciplinary character that presents technological risks in their own context.

Twenty-four scientists have come together to present their views on risks in technological systems. Their scientific disciplines cover not only engineering, economics and medicine, but also history, psychology, literature and philosophy. Taken together these contributions provide a broad, but accurate, interdisciplinary introduction to a field of increasing global interest, as well as rich opportunities to achieve in-depth knowledge of the subject. The book is important reading for those who have to consider risks in their professional career, as well as for everyone who wants to develop a well-informed opinion of what is reasonable to believe when reading media reports on various risks.

In addition to being a university textbook, Risks in Technological Systems is an engaging read for policy makers, politicians, psychologists, and planners, as well as the general reader.

Springer Series in Reliability Engineering publishes high-quality books in important areas of current theoretical research and development in reliability, and in areas that bridge the gap between theory and application in areas of interest to practitioners in industry, laboratories, business, and government.

Autorentext

Göran Grimvall is a professor emeritus of physics at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden where he has served as dean at the School of Engineering Physics. In addition to three monographs in materials science he has published extensively on everyday physics and written several textbooks on engineering physics. Professor Grimvall is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences since 1986.

Åke J. Holmgren is a senior analyst at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), where his practical work concerns mainly SCADA (Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition) and process control system security. Previously he has been employed as a senior analyst at the Swedish Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and as a scientist at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). He is a faculty member of the Department of Safety Research at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden, and his areas of research include quantitative risk and vulnerability analysis of large technical systems, as well as operational risk and crisis management. He holds a PhD degree in Safety Analysis and an MSc degree in civil engineering, both from KTH, as well as a BSc degree in business administration and economics from Stockholm University.

Per Jacobsson holds university degrees in surveying, mathematics and philosophy, education, and sociology and has trained in environmental medicine. After a brief career in surveying engineering, he has served, inter alia, as secretary on several commissions, especially concerning the interplay between technology and society, sustainable development and the quality of university education, in which areas he has also been responsible for several courses and projects. He is former director of the Centre for Environmental Science at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden and is currently Senior Administrative Officer at its University Administration.

Torbjörn Thedéen is a professor emeritus of safety analysis and a former director of the Center for Safety Research at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden. He holds a PhD in Mathematical Statistics. His research has been on the theory of point processes, applications to road traffic, and risk analyses of transportation, energy and infrastructure systems. He has been vice dean of the Faculty of Engineering Physics, a member of the research board of the Swedish Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and a member of the editorial board of Transportation Research.

Klappentext

"Risks in Technological Systems" is an interdisciplinary university textbook and a book for the educated reader on the risks of today's society. In order to understand and analyze risks associated with the engineering systems on which modern society relies, other concerns have to be addressed, besides technical aspects. In contrast to many academic textbooks dealing with technological risks, this book has a unique interdisciplinary character that presents technological risks in their own context.

Twenty-four scientists have come together to present their views on risks in technological systems. Their scientific disciplines cover not only engineering, economics and medicine, but also history, psychology, literature and philosophy. Taken together these contributions provide a broad, but accurate, interdisciplinary introduction to a field of increasing global interest, as well as rich opportunities to achieve in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: The Global Risk Arena, Technological Systems, and this Book 2. Reflections on Risks and Technology 3. Risks in the Past and Present 4. The Dangerous Steam Engine 5. Risks and Safety in Building Structures 6. Risks in the Conversion of Energy 7. Chemical and Physical Health Risks - Chemicals, Radiation, and Noise 8. Safety Factors and Exposure Limits 9. How Dangerous Is It To Travel? 10. IT - Risks and Security 11. Vulnerability of Infrastructures 12. Risk Management 13. Risk Analysis 14. Fire and Explosion 15. The Human Factor? 16. The Perceptions of Risks of Technology 17. The Value of a Life 18. Tacit Knowledge and Risks 19. How To Worry in Moderation