Abstract

Injuries caused by falling in, or tripping over, the gap between the train and platform edge represent a significant portion of all accidents occurring annually in the rail sector. Based on discussions with subject matter experts and by literature searches it appears that previous attempts to understand the relationships between gap dimensions and incident occurrences have been limited and often unproductive. This study defines that relationship by analysing incident data relating to trips and falls at the platform-train interface over a period of a decade on the London Underground system. A positive correlation between the horizontal gap dimension and fall incident parameters has been identified using Spearman’s Rank coefficient and Kendall’s τ –B. Less prominent correlations with vertical and diagonal gap dimensions were also observed. Fitted exponential models were found to represent relationships with horizontal gap most effectively and showed excellent correlation with incident data gathered for the rollout of a new rolling stock type. These models have been used to define safety mitigation strategies which have been successfully implemented on the London Underground, reducing PTI incidents and hence injuries to passengers.

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