Station design
- Description
- Notable Practices
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- References
A well-designed station can reduce the potential for trespassing as well as the perceived viability of the railway as a means to attempt suicide. The safety of new and existing stations can be improved by evaluating and modifying the physical features and layout, including businesses that share their space with stations.
When designing a new station, identify potential safety issues and consider incorporating countermeasures into the design and layout to minimize trespassing opportunities. For example, the placement of a parking lot next to a station will have an impact on the paths that pedestrians will take to and from vehicles. If the tracks are between the parking lot and the train platforms, consider the use of overpasses or underpasses along with fencing to facilitate safe access. Documents from rail carriers that discuss station design guidelines and principles are publicly available (refer to the References tab and Resources tab).
Modifying existing stations may be more difficult than incorporating safety enhancements into a new design, particularly if safety risks involve infrastructure, such as [Platform gates and doors]. Some safety measures may be easier to implement in existing stations such as new lighting or sensors that alert rail workers to people who are too close to edge of the platform. Some stations will position seating at an angle, not parallel to the tracks, so that individuals must turn before walking or stumbling towards the track.
It may be possible to assess the risk level of a new station based on environmental and situational factors that contribute to risk. A risk analysis can provide a path to constructing the station with the capability to meet the potential challenges that the environmental circumstances may introduce. ProRail, the railroad infrastructure manager in the Netherlands, uses a risk assessment tool to assess potential risks for suicide at a new station. This risk assessment tool determines the mitigations that must be built into any new station that is constructed. The tool uses a variety of inputs to assess risk, including: as: nearby population density, through trains, fencing, station staffing, nearby psychiatric facilities, and more [1].
Station design must also ensure that the station is accessible to any individual that may seek to use the services at that station. Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) from the United States Access Board provides guidance for pedestrian accessibility at railway crossings, which may be common near stations (See Resources tab).
Additional search terms: assessment, construction, deterrent, platform
- Identify all potential track access points at a new station and restrict access where possible.
- For new stations, conduct a risk assessment for trespassing/suicide based on operational and environmental conditions including, but not limited to: population density, anticipated through trains, anticipated station staffing, and incidents at nearby station locations [1].
- Avoid pedestrian routes that cross active tracks whenever possible.
- Separate public spaces from unauthorized spaces with physical or symbolic barriers, making it obvious when an individual is entering a restricted area [2].
- Ensure station design provides good visibility for train crews and passengers throughout all public spaces [2].
- Include a direct path for first responders to access the platform and track area [2].
- Refer to PROWAG guidance from the United States Access Board to ensure that legal crossings near a station are appropriately designed to be accessible to any rider who may use the rail system (www.access-board.gov/prowag/).
- Conduct risk assessments specific to trespassing and suicide during the design process and integrate relevant safety enhancements into new station designs to limit the need for design alterations in the future.
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[1] Janson, R. (2022). Research risk factors for suicide at stations. ProRail. Netherlands (translated from Dutch to English by Google).
Document Summary: This document describes research conducted to identify a risk assessment model which can help to determine potential risk for suicide at new railway stations in the Netherlands. The risk assessment model identified a wide variety of factors that may contribute to suicide risk and applied a model to verify which factors were most critical. The outcome of this risk assessment tool is now used by ProRail to determine which mitigations must be included in new station designs.
[2] Amtrak. (2019). Station Program Planning and Guidelines.
Document Excerpt: These Guidelines are intended to assist local governments, transportation agencies and authorities, designers, Amtrak staff and other stakeholders in the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, and redevelopment of Amtrak served passenger stations and related facilities. The guidelines presented here establish design standards and criteria for stations, platforms, and the station site, starting with governing principles, followed by information on the planning and design process, service and facility types, program requirements, station features and amenities, station finishes and architectural design. This document is intended to be used in concert with, and is complemented by, the Amtrak Engineering Stations Standard Design Practices (SDP), which provide further technical requirements, the Amtrak Graphic Standards Signage Manual and other resource documents listed in Appendix A.
Network Rail. (2015). Station Design Principles for Network Rail.
Document Excerpt: Suicides are a societal issue which Network Rail considers necessary to address in terms of its own business; due to the impact it has on performance and the costs associated with running the network. More recently Network Rail recognises the part it has to play in society and the role that suicide prevention has in achieving a sustainable business.
Network Rail is working with third parties such as mental health specialists and the Samaritans in the community to conduct outreach work with the aim of reducing the incidence of vulnerable individuals taking their lives. Analytical data has been collated and interpreted to inform physical mitigations which have been used as exemplars on some routes. The creation of a calm environment and the avoidance of over-stimulation are recognised as desirable in this respect.
Public Right-of-Way Access Guide (PROWAG): www.access-board.gov/prowag/
Website: The Access Board has published new guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) that address access to sidewalks and streets, crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signals, on-street parking, and other components of public right-of-way. These guidelines also review shared use paths, which are designed primarily for use by bicyclists and pedestrians for transportation and recreation purposes. Final Rule published to the National Register on August 8, 2023.