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

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

3. 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.

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Questions………………