First reported 15 Nov 2013•Latest report 29 May 2020
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of railway-station systems specifically intended to detect persons on or near the line and raise or transmit an immediate alert, including platform or trackside alarms, monitored CCTV, alternative detection systems, coverage, integration and arrangements for triggering an appropriate response.
Not included
Excludes general supervision of members of the public on station premises where no person-on-line detection or alerting function is identified.
Excludes physical controls preventing railway-track access, including fencing, barriers and access restrictions, unless the assertion also concerns detection or alerting of a person on or near the line.
Excludes generic emergency communication, staffing or response failures where the railway-station detection or alerting control is not deficient.
Excludes suicide-prevention signage, lighting or mental-health support measures unless they are specifically part of detecting a person on or near the railway line and triggering a response.
Reports
3
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2020
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
6
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Arriva Rail North Limited1
Docklands Light Railway Limited1
London Underground Limited1
Office of Rail and Road1
Transport for London1
Urban transport operator2
Public transport authority1
Train operating company1
Transport regulator1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Inner North London
Concerns raised2
Inability of the central CCTV monitoring system to watch all stations simultaneously
Dependence on members of the public to notice hazards and activate alarms
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Develop and roll out enhanced platform-alarm signage to improve passengers’ ability to locate alarms.
Stated by Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 June 2020.
Action
Research and collaborate on CCTV and train-based hazard-detection technologies, including assessing potential options for a DLR trial.
Stated by Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 June 2020.
Action
Discuss with DLR the reasonable practicability of technological solutions to detect people on the track and stop approaching vehicles.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 June 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
On-train and CCTV obstacle-detection technology is considered insufficiently mature for reliable operation on the DLR network.
Stated by Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD and Transport for LondonUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Existing risk controls were considered appropriate and reasonably practicable, so additional platform screen doors were not required.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
DLR, KAD and TfL held responsibility and power to investigate and implement additional technological or operational safety solutions.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Reliable commercial technologies for detecting people on tracks and stopping trains were not yet available off the shelf.
Stated by Office of Rail and RoadUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
County Durham and Darlington
Concerns raised2
Absence of alternative means of detecting persons on the line and triggering appropriate response at railway stations
Absence of means to raise an immediate and effective alert regarding persons on the line at railway stations
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Hold multidisciplinary post-incident meetings, distribute anniversary safety briefings, and deploy Travel Safe Officers at relevant locations.
Stated by Arriva Rail North (ARNStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 May 2019.
Action
Use data to identify hotspot locations and assess additional measures such as CCTV coverage.
Stated by Arriva Rail North (ARNStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 May 2019.
Action
Bring forward the planned CCTV installation at Chester-le-Street station.
Stated by Arriva Rail North (ARNStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 May 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
No technology is available to detect people on the railway line.
Stated by Arriva Rail North (ARNUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Responsibility for the station help point rests with Durham County Council.
Stated by Arriva Rail North (ARNRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Failure to alert the driver by the most direct and effective method about a person’s presence on the track
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.