Conceptualising innovative lighting interventions for suicide, trespass and risky behaviour on the railway

Abstract

Three behaviour types – suicide, trespass and risky behaviours, which can result in entry to railway tracks – present an ongoing challenge to the rail industry for fatality prevention. Many preventative interventions exist, operating at different stages in the timeline of a person’s decision to access the tracks to the point that they have entered and remain in the track area. However, there is little understanding of the impacts of interventions on the behaviours in question. This paper outlines the generation of the functional requirements for the use of lighting as safety interventions, which can contribute towards the development and evaluation of such interventions. The study includes the analysis of literature on how lighting has been used to date in the prevention of suicide, trespass and other risky behaviour on railway property. Interviews were carried out with 13 key stakeholders who have expertise in the behaviours in question and awareness of the range of safety interventions used in practice in railway settings. The analysis explores how lighting can be used to influence these different behaviour types. Functionalities that are both theoretically and empirically promising are identified. These functionalities include the need for reactive environmental changes, novelty, ability to influence decision-making and ability to support a human response, for example, through highlighting to staff when someone has entered the tracks. These functionalities offer developers a framework for developing (and subsequently evaluating) a range of novel intervention technologies, which could highlight specific lighting properties that could influence behaviour.

A Systematic Review of Railway Trespassing: Problems and Prevention Measures

“…Trespasser profile and behaviour (Silla and Luoma, 2012) [43], (Silla and Luoma, 2009) [11], (Skladana et al, 2019) [40], (Pelletier, 1997) [13], (Patterson, 2004) [24], (Federal Railroad Administration, 2008) [30], (Davis et al, 1997) [56], (Matzopoulos et al, 2006) [71], (Havârneanu et al, 2016) [72], (Havârneanu et al, 2015) [16], (Hoekstra and Wegman, 2011) [73], (Waterson et al, 2015) [74], (DaSilva and Carroll, 2011) [75], (Department of transportation (FRA), 2011) [76], (Edwards, 1953) [77], (Cohen et al, 2003) [78], (Ricketts et al, 2010) [79], (Ricketts, 2015) [80], (Lobb et al, 2003) [81], (Hallewell et al, 2022) [82] 2. Signalization, technological and technical measures for trespassing prevention (Silla and Luoma, 2011) [83], (Federal Railroad Administration 2011) [84], (Waterson and Monk, 2014) [85], (Horton and Da Silva) [86], (Oh et al, 2022) [87], (Gao et al, 2021) [88], (Tang et al, 2023)…”

“…Enforcement measures are also very effective when combined with education, as shown in research conducted in Auckland, New Zealand [81], where education alone was not as effective in the reduction of railway trespassing. However, education on safety has been proven to change the mindset of people, which is why the railway stakeholders in one study suggested that education on the dangers of electrification is needed at schools (alongside "normal" trespassing education) [82].…”

The forever decision: a qualitative study among survivors of a suicide attempt

“…For instance, the use of unexpected sensory stimuli, such as colored light or sound effects, at suicide risk places like railway areas, has shown promise in breaking through the emotional daze which suicidal people are likely to experience prior to an attempt. 27 Therapists should proactively inquire about the means that suicidal patients may have access to, not only during a suicidal crisis but also during the intake process, as preparations (such as choice of suicide method) can occur years prior to an attempt. In treatment settings, clinicians could explore certain dates that hold special meaning and be mindful of the possible burden of these dates.…”

“…For instance, the use of unexpected sensory stimuli, such as colored light or sound effects, at suicide risk places like railway areas, has shown promise in breaking through the emotional daze which suicidal people are likely to experience prior to an attempt. 27 …”

Sociodemographic and psychosocial risk factors of railway suicide: a mixed-methods study combining data of all suicide decedents in the Netherlands with data from a psychosocial autopsy study

“…Similar findings are reported in a recent Swedish study, where mid-track fencing at a station reduced suicides there by 62.5%, although there were some concerns about substitution effects, whereby an increase was observed in nearby stations that functioned as a control group [ 18 ]. Promising new techniques, including advanced sensor surveillance [ 19 ], video monitoring [ 20 ] and the effect of lighting [ 21 , 22 ] have been subjected to theoretical examination and assessed in feasibility studies, but evidence for their effects on a larger scale remains limited.…”