Alarming increase in railway trespass incidents

[Antman]

http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/new...-the-south-east-hits-five-year-high-1-7913075

Alarming new figures from Network Rail and British Transport Police reveal more people than ever are risking their lives on the rail network by trespassing on the tracks in the south east region.

The data, which looks at trends over the last five years, shows trespass incidents are at all-time high in the region, while nationally one person trespasses and dices with death every hour.

Last year alone there were around 1,118 incidents where people risked their lives on the rail network in the south east – a 17 per cent rise on the previous year.

In Sussex, the statistics show that there were 153 incidents last year compared to 128 incidents in 2012...

 

[47271]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39584988

Hmm, I've come across the same story, and the same percentage increase, in Scotland.

I'm not saying that there hasn't been an increase, but the figures seem to be a remarkable coincidence. I wonder if they've changed the way they're recording trespass?

Sharp rise in Scottish railway trespass incidents

A sharp increase in the number of people trespassing on railway lines in Scotland has been reported.

British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail said there were 710 incidents last year, a rise of 16% on the previous year.

They expect incidents to peak during school holidays in spring and summer.

BTP warned that officers cannot keep constant watch on thousands of miles of track and asked parents to play their part in keeping young people safe.

BTP Supt David Marshall said: "Every single day we are called to the tracks because a train driver has had to sound their horn or apply their emergency brake In a desperate bid to avoid youths on the line, who then run off, seemingly unaware of the danger they have put themselves in.

"We continue to do all we can to keep youngsters safe by patrolling areas where we know they're likely to trespass and prevent them from doing so.

"However, we cover thousands of miles of track and we cannot tackle this issue alone."

Network Rail Scotland head of route safety Simon Constable added: "Every April we see a huge rise in the number of people taking a risk on the rail network and it's worrying that these numbers seem to be going up.

"Britain has the safest railway in Europe but still too many people lose their lives on the tracks.

"The dangers may not always be obvious but the electricity on the railway is always on and trains can travel up to 125 miles per hour, so even if they see you, they can't stop in time."

 

[eastdyke]

This could be due, at least in part, to the smart phone.

People walking use smart phones to assist navigation. Rail routes often offer the most direct route between 2 points.

The temptation becomes too great ....

 

[wingsoveryorks]

I blame 'Pokeman Go'

 

[Master29]

I reckon it`s never been any different. People are always going to do it as there is no accounting for stupidity.

 

[AM9]

It seems that Jeremy Vine has this subject as one of his time fillers today. In the 11:30 trail for it he said that:

people walking on tracks can get 'zapped' from the electricity
then
that electricity can jump three metres​

I had to laugh. OK, firstly it would have to be an electrified line and then only 3rd (and maybe) fourth rail).
It would require as good as physical contact with the conductor rail so a real hazard.
Then he clearly indicates that he doesn't know what he is talking about by claiming that electricity can jump three metres. 750VDC doesn't even 'jump' three inches.*
Unless of course he's referring to OLE lines and some tresspassers that are 5 metres tall.
He must be confusing recent comments about clearance from platform edges to live parts, - why do these journalists get involved in discussions about things of which they have no understanding. I can't be bothered to listen to his programme, but I hope that somebody calls in and tells him how stupid he is.

* with a non-inductive load as a human body would be

 

[boxy321]

It seems that Jeremy Vine has this subject as one of his time fillers today. In the 11:30 trail for it he said that:

people walking on tracks can get 'zapped' from the electricity
then
that electricity can jump three metres​

I had to laugh. OK, firstly it would have to be an electrified line and then only 3rd (and maybe) fourth rail).
It would require as good as physical contact with the conductor rail so a real hazard.
Then he clearly indicates that he doesn't know what he is talking about by claiming that electricity can jump three metres. 750VDC doesn't even 'jump' three inches.*
Unless of course he's referring to OLE lines and some tresspassers that are 5 metres tall.
He must be confusing recent comments about clearance from platform edges to live parts, - why do these journalists get involved in discussions about things of which they have no understanding. I can't be bothered to listen to his programme, but I hope that somebody calls in and tells him how stupid he is.

* with a non-inductive load as a human body would be

1kV/mm is the breakdown field strength for dry air, so in theory a spark could jump 1" from 25kV wires. Once started, the ark needs a much lower voltage and can travel a longer distance, hence the images of sparks being 'struck'.

The latter bit about the ark is probably irrevelvant though as by then you're dead.

 

[EM2]

Unless of course he's referring to OLE lines and some tresspassers that are 5 metres tall.

Trespassers that climb OHLE structures and signal gantries, or sit on bridge parapets, or jump onto the top of freight trains?

 

[wingsoveryorks]

Does anyone report someone taking a short cut anymore? I don't. All it does is disrupt trains whilst the person has long gone.

 

[edwin_m]

This could be due, at least in part, to the smart phone.

People walking use smart phones to assist navigation. Rail routes often offer the most direct route between 2 points.

The temptation becomes too great ....

Maybe also the temptation to make videos/selfies of dangerous activities?

 

[Trackman]

Does anyone report someone taking a short cut anymore? I don't. All it does is disrupt trains whilst the person has long gone.

I do, it usually results in better fencing.
The more people report a hot spot for trespassers using a short cut, the better chance of them cutting it off.

 

[AM9]

1kV/mm is the breakdown field strength for dry air, so in theory a spark could jump 1" from 25kV wires. Once started, the ark needs a much lower voltage and can travel a longer distance, hence the images of sparks being 'struck'.

The latter bit about the ark is probably irrevelvant though as by then you're dead.

A continuous arc has to be sustainable which with ac is very unlikely for the sort of currents that a human encroachment might trigger. For DC, at 750V there would need to be either continuous contact with no arc, just burning, or a massive inductive component to sustain much of an arc over an air gap.

 

[J-2739]

I blame 'Pokeman Go'

That game is just as dead as a graveyard, so I doubt that trend of increased trespasses will continue into this year.

 

[AM9]

Trespassers that climb OHLE structures and signal gantries, or sit on bridge parapets, or jump onto the top of freight trains?

The thread is about those who trespass on the tracks, usually to take a short cut. In order for them to be zapped by a 3 metre flashover, and for it to sustain any kind of arc, it would need close human proximity to a part of the OLE that was live at 25kV, and as I said, you would need to be about 5 metres tall to do that when crossing the track. The pond-life that climbs onto OLE kit is doing a lot more than just taking a short cut, (more like creating a short circuit ).

 

[snowball]

Hmm, I've come across the same story, and the same percentage increase, in Scotland.

I'm not saying that there hasn't been an increase, but the figures seem to be a remarkable coincidence. I wonder if they've changed the way they're recording trespass?

If you go to the news page on NR's website, you'll see about nine different regional versions of the same press release:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/

 

[Pete_uk]

There have been a spate of trespasses around Gloucester recently. A black spot seems to be just south of Gloucester South junction, which used to have a pedestrian crossing but that was replaced with a bridge.

 

[D365]

I blame 'Pokeman Go'

Can you quantify your remark please.

 

[jimbo99]

I think it is a sign of the times. To the rear of my office there is a flat roof, some derelict buildings and wasteground, some of which is owned by us, some owned by others. All is fenced off and signed.

In the last few years there has been a marked increase in trespassers. This includes small groups of students looking for somewhere quiet in the sun to revise/chat, kids getting drunk, so-called "freerunners", those intent on doing criminal damage (graffiti, smashing windows etc) and, rarely, burglars.

In the past, the sight of me in a dayglo jacket would be enough to send them running. Now there is backchat, claims that it's their "right" to be there, threats they'll be back for me etc etc. The police are called every couple of weeks now. We have installed monitored CCTV and alarms - this helps.

The biggest growth has been in "freerunners" and graffiti "artists". These people are ALWAYS filming themselves on smartphones doing their stuff. That's what it's all about where I am.

So it's a combination of stunts for social media to gain notoriety, the public regarding it as young people having fun and police having other priorities.

 

[BluePenguin]

This could be due, at least in part, to the smart phone.

People walking use smart phones to assist navigation. Rail routes often offer the most direct route between 2 points.

The temptation becomes too great ....

Yes rail routes do offer the most direct route, although surely most people would be sensible enough to get on a train to get there quicker. Trains move along tracks quicker than people can walk across them. So, if they are in that much of a hurry to reach their destination they know what to do......unless they are cheap

It is not that easy to just walk onto tracks though. Unless someone doesn't mind jumping down from bridges or climbing over barbed wire. Network Rail put a lot of effort into fencing and I am sure they would be amazing if they knew their tracks had become direct walking paths.

If any navigation app shows train tracks as a walking route then it is no wonder! They need reporting and could possibly face legal consequences as probably a lot of people have been tempted.

 

[IanXC]

I think it would be wrong to characterise this as an issue solely about younger people. The number of cases where 'Mrs Miggins' is taking a short cut back from the shops is staggering.

 

[Wookiee]

1kV/mm is the breakdown field strength for dry air, so in theory a spark could jump 1" from 25kV wires. Once started, the ark needs a much lower voltage and can travel a longer distance, hence the images of sparks being 'struck'.

The latter bit about the ark is probably irrevelvant though as by then you're dead.

Noah will be relieved!