Network Rail targets high risk phone distraction crossings

The UK’s rail track owner, Network Rail, is using the latest technology in an effort to reduce the number of near misses as pedestrian cross the railway lines. Statistics revealed that 70% of near misses at crossings are due to distraction, with the top three being friends (40%), headphones (20%) and mobile phones (12%). Almost a third (29%) of young adults admit to using their mobile phone while crossing the railway and near misses rise from an average of 15/month in December and January to peak at 50 in S
July 17, 2017 Read time: 1 min
The UK’s rail track owner, 5021 Network Rail, is using the latest technology in an effort to reduce the number of near misses as pedestrian cross the railway lines.


Statistics revealed that 70% of near misses at crossings are due to distraction, with the top three being friends (40%), headphones (20%) and mobile phones (12%). Almost a third (29%) of young adults admit to using their mobile phone while crossing the railway and near misses rise from an average of 15/month in December and January to peak at 50 in September.

In response, Network Rail and British Transport Police are geo-targeting a number of crossings where phone distraction has been flagged as high risk. The technology, causes an advert to flash up in whatever app is being used using, and will display a safety message warning users to pay attention while crossing the railway.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Triplesign shows new road warning system
    April 18, 2024
    A new road warning system from Triplesign is said to improve safety for drivers, while offering lower costs for users. Using prismatic technology rather than LEDs, working life is high while power use is minimal for this variable message sign (VMS) package.
    Read More
  • HGV blind spot technology tested to improve road safety
    April 24, 2014
    A new project funded by the UK’s Transport for London (TfL) will independently test blind spot safety technology, which can be fitted to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to help reduce the risk of collisions between HGVs, pedestrians and cyclists. One of TfL's top priorities is to reduce by 40 per cent the number of people killed or seriously injured on London's roads by 2020. Recently, the Mayor and TfL published six commitments which, working with a range of partners, are guiding initiatives to deliver thi
    Read More
  • Vehicle ownership - a thing of the past?
    May 22, 2012
    Convergence of electron-powered vehicles with connected vehicle technologies could mean that only a few decades from now the idea of owning a vehicle will be entirely alien to the road user. By Technolution chief scientist Dave Marples with Jason Barnes Even when taken individually, many of the developments going on and around vehiclebased mobility will bring about major changes in transportation. Taken collectively, the transformations we might expect are nothing short of profound. Enumeration of the influ
    Read More
  • Sice systems future proof Fehmarnbelt Tunnel
    April 4, 2023
    Picking up the electro-mechanical contract for the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel was a milestone, according to David Calero Monteagudo, head of global ITS and tunnel business for Spanish company Sice. David Arminas finds out more
    Read More

Highlighted Content