Backed by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB), a new national campaign has been launched to enhance pedestrian safety around trams and tramways in the UK. Both Edinburgh Trams and the Blackpool Tramway are the first to sign up to the campaign which sees new signage put up to encourage pedestrians to look up from their phones when around trams.
The campaign builds on pioneering research into the behaviour of people crossing tracks at tramstops and in areas where trams run along public roads. It promotes the adoption of measures making pedestrians more aware of their surroundings when close to a tramway.
The LRSSB Chief Executive, Carl Williams, explains more: “From developing improved signage at crossing points to using the latest geolocation technology to alert members of the public of their proximity to the tracks, the campaign encourages innovative solutions to the most common causes of collisions on light rail systems.
“Our own studies have shown that pedestrians are often distracted by their mobile phones, or simply oblivious to their surroundings, and fail to show the same care that they would when crossing a busy road.
“Over-familiarity can also be a factor in many accidents, with people who use trams on a regular basis ignoring warnings they see every day. In response, we’re developing more eye-catching signage and other measures that networks can use to catch the attention of unwary pedestrians.”
Over the coming months the LRSSB will be working alongside other UK tram operators to expand the campaign and to provide tailored support based on their own requirements. The LRSSB already offer free use of eye catching social media posts and striking animated videos which highlight key safety messages.