What is one possible consequence of neglecting rail maintenance schedules?

Neglecting rail maintenance schedules can lead to heightened safety risks due to unaddressed wear on rail components. Over time, rail systems experience wear and tear that can compromise their integrity and safety. Regular maintenance is crucial to identify and remedy issues such as track erosion, degraded switches or signals, and worn-out braking systems. Without adhering to a maintenance schedule, these problems can go unnoticed until they escalate to the point of causing failures or accidents, posing a significant threat not just to the infrastructure but also to the safety of passengers and railway workers. Therefore, adhering to maintenance schedules is essential to ensure the overall safety and reliability of rail operations.