United States Department of Transportation
i
Pedestrian Falling Accidents in Transit Terminals
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1985-02-01
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[PDF-1.30 MB]
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Edition:Final report; June 1984 - October 1984; Reprint December 1997
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Abstract:Falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury in the U.S. Based on reports to the Federal Railroad Administration, the rail transit industry carried 7.25 billion passengers (1976-1980) and these patrons experienced about 10,000 station falls. This study investigates the problem of falling accidents in transit stations including the implications that go beyond the injuries sustained by victims. This report examines one system and consists of: 1) a review of human factors related to the design of pedestrian facilities and mechanics of falling; 2) development and analysis of a database on transit patron falling accidents in stations to establish the characteristics of victim and accident relationships for various types of pedestrian facilities; 3) a review of industry risk and claims management practices and costs of falls; 4) development of recommended design and operating practices to reduce falls; and 5) summary of the proceedings of a special industry workshop addressing the falling accident problem. Based on this study, accident reports in one system show alcohol involvement in 29 percent of all falls and 55 percent of male falls where an ambulance was called. Off-peak incident rates were higher; P.M. peak was higher than A.M. Most falls were due to personal factors. Station falls cost the industry an estimated $1.7 million annually in claims settlements. Study also shows that high industry standards of design and maintenance result in lower incident rates and settlements than the general experience. Design improvements are warranted to reduce incident rates, severity, and claims. A workshop seminar involving industry representatives indicated support for a uniform industry reporting form and the use of media campaigns to encourage safe practices to avoid falls.
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