Identifying new concepts for innovative lighting-based interventions to influence movement and behaviours in train stations

Abstract

The disorderly and disrupted movement of passengers within train stations are key concerns in rail transport, especially where there are increasing numbers of passengers, coupled with often out-dated, adapted station spaces. With careful planning and design, different characteristics of lighting can be employed to address problems relating to the movement and behaviour of passengers in railway environments. This study aims to offer an approach to identify new concepts for lighting-based interventions to influence passenger movement behaviours within train stations. Behaviourally orientated lighting literature was reviewed, providing the knowledge base to inform a series of engagement activities with transport stakeholders and lighting technologists, to understand problematic behaviours and how these might be resolved through targeted lighting design. In combining findings from the literature with insights from rail and transport-related industry stakeholders and lighting specialists, a number of potential opportunities for novel applications of lighting have been identified. Six scenarios are developed that illustrate these opportunities for potential lighting-based interventions to influence train passenger movement and behaviour. These scenarios can be used to inform the direction of further research and consideration of how different lighting characteristics can affect rail passenger behaviours.

Field testing two innovative lighting interventions to influence waiting behaviours and movements on stairways in train stations

“…This study has introduced and carried out initial evaluations of two new lighting interventions in an operational railway setting, attempting to tackle problems that have been identified by industry staff. 5 This is an important achievement as there is an absence of good evaluation studies in most industrial contexts and academic publications. 7 A rigorous process of evaluation has been developed (adapted from Hills and Junge 11 ) and applied, collecting observational data and reports from those using or supervising these locations.…”

“…2 Signage is a common approach to support wayfinding at stations, 3 though with a plethora of information requirements (e.g., platforms numbers, train destinations, facilities, safety messaging, advertising) stations are commonly cluttered with too much visual information. 4 Hughes et al (2020) 5 presented arguments for how different characteristics of lighting (intensity, colour, flicker/flash rate, position/direction, source/operation) could be used to influence the behaviour and movements of people in a more intuitive and responsive way at railway stations, with the potential to solve recognised industry problems with passenger movements and their impacts on efficiency of train services. 6 Six scenarios were identified where new lighting interventions could be considered.…”

“…The selected lighting interventions correspond with three of the scenarios identified in the earlier study. 5 Firstly, there are known problems of passengers not knowing where on the platform to wait for a train (Scenarios 1 and 2), 5 causing blockages in flow on platforms, uncertainty for passengers and increased dwell times of trains at stations. An overhead projected lighting product was developed to produce light zones to indicate optimal waiting positions for boarding and encourage dispersion along the length of the platform.…”

“…2 Signage is a common approach to support wayfinding at stations, 3 though with a plethora of information requirements (e.g., platforms numbers, train destinations, facilities, safety messaging and advertising), stations are commonly cluttered with too much visual information. 4 Hughes et al 5 presented arguments for how different characteristics of lighting (intensity, colour, flicker/flash rate, position/direction, source/operation) could be used to influence the behaviour and movements of people in a Lighting Res. Technol.…”

“…6 Six scenarios were identified where new lighting interventions could be considered. 5 The efficacy of these types of lighting interventions, proposed following analysis of the literature, is not known. Traditional experimental approaches are difficult to implement in environments such as a live railway station, 7 so it was necessary to develop a rigorous evaluation methodology that can be applied in this type of operational context.…”