Mind the Gap – Human Factors and the Platform Train Interface Paul Leach, Kate Moncrieff, Helen Costello & Gladys Udeh RSSB and Network Rail

Road map Scope Rationale Challenges Research programme Findings PTI strategy Next steps

Scope Scope: Bodyside of the train to the platform corridor Whilst we define the scope as per the above we also recognise that incidents and accidents at the PTI could be driven by influences long before they arrive at the station, EG: rushing, distracted, issues at home etc Ease of boarding and alighting for persons with reduced mobility will also be considered. The strategy is looking to raise awareness and understand how the design of the platform train interface affects behaviours and therefore what an optimum design would look like. Type of event is then broken down into specific categories and where the event could occur within the PTI scope. The strategy will also include PTI events that result from overcrowding on the platform.

Rationale High profile incidents Need for capacity, accessibility and performance Passenger exposure to risk Increase in harm since 2007

Rationale PTI risk due to boarding/alighting 6.67 FWI per year Public: <0.01 FWI per year Passenger: 6.67 FWI per year PTI risk not due to boarding/alighting 6.09 FWI per year Public: 0.62 FWI per year Passenger: 5.48 FWI per year Passenger FWI risk (58.4 FWI per year) Passenger fatality risk (8.3 per year) Source: SRM v8.1

Challenges Significant variations in station, platform and train design Passenger attitudes and behaviours Differing dispatch methods and staffing requirements for platforms Maintaining access for mixed traffic operations EU Interoperability Directive, TSIs and the RGS

Research programme PTI Special topic report and SMIS narrative analysis Operations, Engineering and Human Factors workshops Human Factors literature review Additional post incident reporting Additional research and data analysis

Findings - prioritised behaviours and factors Accidental slips, trips and falls Rushing Too near the edge Lack of awareness Crowding Intoxication Encumbered travel Sensory impairment Technology use

Other contributory factors Infrastructure Operational Rolling stock Platform (slippery, uneven, obstructions) Service issues (delays, frequency, cancellations, staff error, inaccurate customer info) Hustle alarms Exits Height and width of the gap between platform and train Maintenance on the platform Train fittings and on board space Wayfinding and signage Presence of staff and dwell time Footsteps and plates

Prioritised mitigations Raising awareness of PTI risks and facilitating behavioural change, through education, communication and staff interactions Providing staff with the skills, time, and equipment to better engage with passengers and support reductions in PTI Enhancing management of intoxicated passengers, for example, greater collaboration with the British Transport Police and changes to relevant policies Demarcating the position of platform markings Improving the provision, location and content of information for customer service

Prioritised mitigations (cont…) Improving platform management, for example, removing pinch points Supporting and empowering vulnerable passengers or those requiring assistance Rolling stock design to support vulnerable passengers or those requiring assistance Optimising infrastructure and design of the physical environment Enhancements to train dispatch and utilisation of technologies to support the safe arrival, departure and dispatch of trains Provision of standardised train stop markings, for example colour coding Provision of adequate and flexible dwell times and increased capacity

Strategic workstreams Data intelligence and gathering Passenger movement Train stopping positions, dispatch Accessibility Engineering Performance

PTI strategy objectives Reflect the wide range of safety, performance and engineering issues surrounding the PTI Account for both the short term and long term needs of the industry Define the research, where appropriate, needed to develop and deliver the strategy Obtain industry buy-in for the implementation of the strategy

Expected Benefits  Reduction in slips / trips / falls  Reduction in falls from platform  Reduction in delays  Reduced cost of incidents and delays  Improved customer satisfaction  Increased customer confidence  Better manage increases in traffic

Successes (so far…) Cross industry strategy Technical report and action plan National Campaign Area on web-based rail industry resource centre for RSSB members dedicated to sharing good practice

Next steps PTI Risk Assessment Tool Staff communication on PTI risks Refresh of the national campaign RSSB research projects, for example step/gap; Driver Only Operation monitors; signage; luggage and non technical skills

Questions………………