R&D programme
Research brief
On-board injuries associated with
internal train doors
Background
Transport Focus (the independent public body set up by government to
protect the interests of rail, tram, bus and coach passengers) highlighted
to the Vehicle/Vehicle System Interface Committee (V/V SIC) the relatively
high number of complaints they receive from passengers because of
injuries that were caused by the internal doors on trains.
There are currently no Railway Group Standards (RGSs) or Codes of
Practice that relate to optimal design features or performance
characteristics for internal train doors.
The V/V SIC considered that injuries caused by internal doors, for new or
re-engineered trains, could be significantly reduced by identifying the
parameters that could be changed to minimise the problems experienced
in service. This research project reviewed the characteristics of existing
internal doors to identify those parameters.
Aims
The aim of this research was to determine the ideal closure characteristics
of an internal powered train door and to produce a performance
specification based on the results.
R&D programme: Research brief T1036 - May 2015
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Findings
This research reviewed injury data from the Safety Management
Information System (SMIS) and several passenger train operators.
The highest cause of injuries was found to be those relating to passengers
being struck or trapped when the door closes. The main mitigation to
eliminate these injuries would be to fit a secondary detection system such
as passive infrared sensors, photocells or mat switches.
There are also hazards associated with the complete door operation, in
particular when the door opens. Injuries have occurred when passengers'
fingers are forced into the door frame structure by the moving door leaf.
The research work and performance specification therefore covered the
complete door operation rather than just door closure.
A hazard identification exercise determined the mitigations that would be
needed to control the risk presented by internal powered door operation.
A review of RGSs and standards relating to external powered doors was
completed as well as a review of the appropriate sectors of the building
industry (such as powered doors for public buildings, shops, offices). This
provided the performance requirements and mitigations needed to control
the issues that were identified.
The train fleets with a high level of injury counts have internal powered
doors that do not meet the proposed performance requirements in key
areas such as obstacle detection. In comparison, train fleets with a lower
level of injury counts were seen to be more compliant in these areas.
RSSB has determined that implementation of the performance
specification could significantly reduce the level of injuries associated with
powered internal doors.
Modifications to achieve compliance retrospectively on existing vehicles
may be considered appropriate where this is reasonably practicable. This
will depend on a suitable assessment being completed by either the
manufacturer, rolling stock leasing company, or train operator, of the
potential risk reduction against the cost of the required change.
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R&D programme: Research brief T1036 - May 2015
Deliverables
The findings are described in a detailed report. The performance
specification and the list of risk mitigations are each available as a
separate appendix.
These are available only to RSSB members through SPARK
(www.sparkrail.org).
Method
The project steering group included RSSB, Virgin Trains, Cross Country, East
Coast, First Group, Department for Transport, Office of Road and Rail,
Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), London Travel Watch
and Transport Focus.
The work was carried out by CH2M HILL which contacted various industry
sources, as agreed with the project steering group, to determine the
performance and features of existing internal powered doors and to obtain
data relating to reported injuries caused by these doors.
CH2M HILL undertook a review of the RGSs to determine those that may
contain useful requirements or guidance for an internal powered door
performance specification. A review was also completed on the causes of
injuries with existing systems.
Based on the results of the standards and the existing systems and injuries
review CH2M HILL developed a set of performance requirements for
internal door systems against which the existing systems on rail vehicles
could be compared.
This was structured by analysing a typical sequence of events when using
a powered door on a rail vehicle to help identify the potential hazards and
means of mitigation.
R&D programme: Research brief T1036 - May 2015
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Next Steps
V/V SIC has endorsed the proposal for RSSB to develop the performance
specification into a Rail Industry Standard (RIS) and for ATOC to include it
in its Key Technical Requirements for rolling stock.
By following the recognised RSSB processes, system suppliers, vehicle
builders, train operators, rolling stock leasing companies and railway safety
authorities will be engaged in the consultation process for a RIS.
Implementation of a RIS to apply optimum closure characteristics to
internal powered train doors will provide the benefit of reducing the risk of
internal powered door related injuries and will generally improve the
passenger experience.
The performance specification describes a best practice internal door
system which can be made available to system suppliers, vehicle builders,
train operators, rolling stock leasing companies and railway safety
authorities for review and to confirm if further refinements are needed to
give optimum solutions.
The requirements should also be included in the ATOC Key Train
Requirements for rolling stock so that they can be adopted for new
vehicles.
Contact
For more information please contact:
Professional Lead - Engineering R&D
R&D Programme
RSSB
enquirydesk@rssb.co.uk
Floor 4, The Helicon
1 South Place
London
EC2M 2RB
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R&D programme: Research brief T1036 - May 2015