Journal article
Understanding pedestrian behaviour at railway level crossings : is there a need for more research?
Road and Transport Research, Vol.22(3), pp.72-82
2013
Abstract
Aim: Collisions between trains and pedestrians are the most likely to result in severe injuries and fatalities when compared to other types of rail crossing accidents. Currently, there is a growing emphasis towards developing effective interventions designed to reduce the prevalence of train-pedestrian collisions. This paper reviews what is currently known regarding the personal and environmental factors that contribute to train-pedestrian collisions, particularly among high-risk groups. Method: Studies that reported on the prevalence and characteristics of pedestrian accidents at railway crossings up until June 2012 were searched in electronic databases. Results: Males, school children and older pedestrians (and those with disabilities) are disproportionately represented in fatality databases. However, a main theme to emerge is that little is known about the origins of train-pedestrian collisions (especially compared to train-vehicle collisions). In particular, whether collisions result from engaging in deliberate violations versus making decisional errors. This subsequently limits the corresponding development of effective and targeted interventions for high-risk groups as well as crossing locations. Finally, it remains unclear what combination of surveillance and deterrence-based and educationfocused campaigns are required to produce lasting reductions in train-pedestrian fatality rates. This paper provides direction for future research into the personal and environmental origins of collisions as well as the development of interventions that aim to attract pedestrians' attention and ensure crossing rules are respected.
Details
- Title
- Understanding pedestrian behaviour at railway level crossings : is there a need for more research?
- Authors
- James E Freeman (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyAndry Rakotonirainy (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyTeodora Stefanova (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyMitchell McMaster (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- Road and Transport Research, Vol.22(3), pp.72-82
- Publisher
- A R R B Group Ltd.
- Date published
- 2013
- ISSN
- 1037-5783
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2013 A R R B Group Ltd. Reproduced here with permission
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450890702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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