24 Jun 2024
A national campaign to enhance pedestrian safety around UK tramways is off to a flying start as transport operators come together for Rail Safety Week (June 24 – 30).
Led by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, the initiative builds on pioneering research into the behaviour of people crossing tracks at stops and in areas where trams operate on public roads.
Tram operators in Edinburgh and Blackpool have already signed up to the campaign, which promotes the adoption of measures making pedestrians more aware of their surroundings when close to a tramway.
Carl Williams, LRSSB Chief Executive, explained: “From developing improved signage at crossing points to using the latest geolocation technology to alert members of the public of their proximity to the tracks, the campaign encourages innovative solutions to the most common causes of collisions on light rail systems.
“Our own studies have shown that pedestrians are often distracted by their mobile phones, or simply oblivious to their surroundings, and fail to show the same care that they would when crossing a busy road.
“Over-familiarity can also be a factor in many accidents, with people who use trams on a regular basis ignoring warnings they see every day. In response, we’re developing more eye-catching signage and other measures that networks can use to catch the attention of unwary pedestrians.”
By launching the campaign during Rail Safety Week, the LRSSB also hopes to raise awareness amongst the wider travelling public, and in coming months it will be working with other UK tramways to provide support tailored to their own individual requirements. The LRSSB is already offering them free use of eye-catching social media posts and striking animated videos highlighting key safety messages, and more media content will follow as the campaign gathers pace.
“As Edinburgh, and more recently Blackpool, have seen trams starting to operate in new areas, it’s fitting they are the first to join our campaign,” Carl said.
“As it is rolled out nationally, we expect operators in other cities to lend their support to an initiative that’s set to deliver a major boost for light rail safety across the UK,” he added.
For more information on how to get involved, please email Jamie Swift - Jamie.swift@lrssb.org
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