Influence of Pedestrian Density on the Use of the Danger Zone at Platforms of Train Stations

Abstract

Due to rapid rail passenger growth in the last years, crowding challenges have risen at several stations in Switzerland and The Netherlands. Particularly at platforms, safety risks can increase when a station is operated near or at pedestrian capacity during peak times. Passengers are observed to cross the safety line at busy platforms when a train is due to arrive. From our daily practice, we expect high densities to be one of the main factors driving use of the danger zone at platforms of train stations. Some previous academic research has also addressed pedestrian densities at the platforms to be one of the factors driving the involuntary use of the danger zone. By using stereo sensors to track persons on a platform in Bern (Switzerland) as well as in Utrecht Centraal (The Netherlands) we were able to show that the use of the danger zone is related to the pedestrian density but also to other factors like obstacles on the platform. An additional survey conducted in Switzerland showed that the persons interviewed were not always aware of their use of the danger zone. Risks are not always clear.