Reducing falls among visually impaired individuals on railway platforms: Field research on environmental challenges and solutions

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the extent to which visually impaired people are at risk of falling from railway station platforms and to identify opportunities for improvement. A barrier-finding fieldwork approach was used to conduct this study. A total of 412 stations’ platforms were examined to provide recommendations for enhancing platform safety.The study found that four major factors contribute to accidents in which visually impaired individuals may fall from railway station platforms. These factors include "the spatial layout of the platform", "the warning tactile pavers", "the Fall Prevention Hoods", and "the fall prevention fences and platform screen doors ".Based on the findings of the study, several measures are recommended to enhance the safety and accessibility of railway station platforms for visually impaired individuals. These measures include closing the gap between the platform and the train, installing Fall Prevention Hoods at lower heights near the feet so that they can be detected using a guide cane, and avoid the placement of directional tactile pavers close to the front end of the train cars or at the platform edge facing train car couplings, etc.