PSAM 16 Conference Paper Overview
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Lead Author: Xiuzhu Gu Co-author(s): Atsutoshi Nakai; nakai.a.ab@m.titech.ac.jp
| Exploring factors contributing to railway crossing accidents |
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| Background: Although the railway crossing accidents are decreasing in Japan, it is still a critical issue that over one-third of railway-related accidents are crossing accidents. Objective: This study is to explore the important factors that contribute to railway crossing accidents. Methods: Two sets of data were collected and analyzed. One is 1479 railway crossing records made by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2016. Each crossing record included information such as the characteristics of the crossing, traffic volume and the number of accidents in the past five years. The other data set is railway crossing accident reports published by Japan Transport Safety Board. In total, there were 61 crossing accident reports from 2001 to 2020. Human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS) was applied to analyze these reports. Results: Based on the crossing records data, the main crossing factors influencing accidents were related to pedestrian. For instance, there were significantly more accidents in narrow-walkway crossings (mean number of accidents 0.201 for “yes” versus 0.056 for “no”; p < 0.001), and pedestrian-bottleneck crossings (0.257 for “yes” vs. 0.081 for “no”; p < 0.001) where there was a large pedestrian volume. From the accident reports, it was identified that the main causes for the accidents were: pedestrians did not recognize the train was coming (in 34 accidents; 56%); and vehicle drivers’ violation that they did not make momentary stop before the crossing as required (26; 43%). Environment-related factors were explored such as a bad field of vision because of trees and plants (22; 36%), and a lack of crossing gate (35; 57%). In addition, railway companies’ inadequate safety culture was also observed. For instance, learning was not made that appropriate actions had not been taken after past accidents in the same crossings (28; 46%); and train drivers had insufficient safety awareness (22; 36%). Conclusions: High attention should be paid to crossings where there is a large pedestrian volume and where the walkway is narrow. In addition, crossing gate is recommended to set for all the crossings, and the environment around the crossings should be checked periodically to ensure a good field of vision. Safety warnings and signs should be set up at conspicuous places. Furthermore, enhancing safety culture in railway companies is important. |
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Author and Presentation Info
Lead Author Name: Xiuzhu Gu (xiuzhu.g.aa@m.titech.ac.jp)
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