Requirements for Emergency Lighting on Passenger Rail Vehicles

Interviews with witnesses from recent accidents highlighted many issues about the lack of effective emergency lighting. Lack of light during an accident prevents passengers from being able to see their surroundings so that they can react to protect themselves or others if possible. Immediately following an accident, lack of light inhibits orientation and deployment of first aid, and can increase anxiety leading to a desire to exit the vehicle as soon as possible. Rapid exit from an accident may put people at further risk. Furthermore, given its presence in such places as cinemas and aircraft, many passengers now expect emergency lighting in trains. It was therefore necessary to investigate the case for trains to be equipped with emergency lighting that is effective both during and after an accident; a system that is independent of normal vehicle systems and that supports passengers in taking more informed actions. This project investigated the case for fitting emergency lighting on passenger carrying vehicles. It identified what levels are required for true emergency lighting and sought to confirm that such levels are achievable in a reliable way, using current technology.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.rssb.co.uk/library/research-development-and-innovation/research-brief-T314.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Rail Safety and Standards Board

  Evergreen House, 160 Euston Road
  London NW1 2DX,   United Kingdom 
• Publication Date: 2007-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Research Brief
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 7p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Passenger trains; Railroad cars; Railroad crashes; Railroad safety; Railroad trains; Vehicle lighting
• Uncontrolled Terms: Emergency lighting
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01088815
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: T314
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 25 2008 2:36PM