Pedestrian Behaviour & Design of Accessible Rail Crossings
Abstract
Australian rail fatality statistics show that nearly twice as many pedestrians as car occupants are killed each year at rail crossings (ATSB 2003a). However, while there are well-defined Australian standards for vehicle rail crossing design, current national standards for pedestrian rail crossing design are less comprehensive (Standards Australia 1993).
Rail operators and state governments have acknowledged the need to develop better national standards for rail crossing design, particularly when considering the needs of people with disabilities (Wheelchair Safety at Rail Level Crossings Taskforce 2002). Indeed, work has already commenced on revising the Australian standard for pedestrian rail crossing design (see section 5.3 of this paper).
One of the keys to developing safer rail crossing designs is to gain a better understanding of pedestrians’ behaviour as they interact with crossing infrastructure. For example, how vigilant are pedestrians when using a crossing? Is risky behaviour rare or commonplace? Are particular demographic groups more inclined to take risks than others? How do pedestrians with disabilities navigate a rail crossing safely?
This paper presents the findings from studies of pedestrian behaviour at rail crossings carried out by the authors between 1998 and 2005. The paper covers the following areas:
- recent rail crossing fatality statistics;
- empirical results from surveys of pedestrian behaviour at rail crossings;
- particular needs of pedestrians with disabilities;
- recommendations for safer crossings; and
- current work towards a national pedestrian rail crossing standard.
Authors
Craig McPherson, Malcolm Daff