Passenger operations
The rail industry needs to ensure that passengers are safe, whether in one of the network’s 2,500 stations or on trains
Railway stations are bustling hubs where passengers embark and disembark. It is vital that we ensure their safety and wellbeing.
There were three passenger or public fatalities in stations or on trains in 2023/24; of which two were fatalities at the platform train interface (PTI). The PTI accounts for over 50% of passenger fatality risk (see figure 4). In 2023 RSSB’s PTI risk assessment tool was refreshed to update existing features and add new functionality. The tool provides members with a common approach for assessing PTI risk.
In 2023/24 RSSB also published a graphic insight into PTI risk. The visuals go through the issue in detail. It also shows how RSSB are supporting members to manage the risk at the platform train interface. More widely, the industry has undertaken a PTI strategy refresh.
The refocus has developed an informed and inclusive strategy going forward.
RSSB’s monitoring has shown an increase in sitting on the platform edge (SOPE) incidents over the past five years (see figure 5). SOPE is a hazardous activity that has resulted in serious injuries. It ties back to wider public behaviour issues, for example retrieving items dropped onto the track and increases in reported trespass.
Over the past three years, CIRAS has received 21 reports that highlight the risk of a PTI incident. These concerns represent 5% of all the cases received within the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Rail sector. One concern raised this year was that station staff were giving the dispatch signal to conductors too early. This could result in a train guard mistakenly closing the doors early, and possibly lead to a PTI incident. After hearing from the reporter, the company was able to re-brief staff on the station dispatch procedure.
