The RAIB are now, after considering the case, investigating the recent fatal collision between a tram and pedestrian, at the path crossing of the off-street tram track near Saughton tram stop.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/collision-between-a-tram-and-a-pedestrian-edinburgh
Details are limited but I'd note that Edinburgh has not fitted under run protection for the run-out zones at the path crossings. Croydon began a programme of retro fitting in 2012, and the Blackpool rebuilding - contemporary with Edinburgh construction - fitted full infilling around the rails at every off-street tram stop. These actions were as a result of the 2011 fatal crash in Manchester, where the lifeguard (under-run protection) on the tram failed to fully push the victim along/aside when they fell and went under the tram. (The tram had to be lifted to free the victim, trapped between the lifeguard and the road surface)
There may be some review of the crossing points on the Stenhouse-Ingliston section, most of which appear to be 'constructed' rather than drop-in level crossing units. That is to say the crossing is a tarmac surfaced path with the gaps between rails and path sections, filled with a poured 'elastomer' They also take path users directly across the tracks with no forced 'stop' and look arrangement. There was a cyclist-tram collision on the Section between Edinburgh Park & The Gyle in 2014 one evening (night/dark conditions), it was not investigated by RAIB, and possibly did not warrant a formal RIDDOR record, through lack of any injury.
Rail culture would report near miss incidents, but as the Croydon crash highlighted, the systems across the tram industry have not placed such a requirement for tram near misses.
I'd note that the tactile paving there is slightly compromised by the vegetation growing over it.
With the crossing at the top of an embankment will there be visibility issues
Anyone using these crossings on a regular basis?
NB Not sure if it was just the days or the way things just happened but on 27th Sept at around 17.00 on 2 cycles of the Mound-Princes Street junction, motor vehicles trapped on the box junction by pedestrians crossing prevented one Eastbound tram, plus every bus and a Westbound tram from moving through the junction, and then on 1st October, after the HST try-out ride, I sat at Haymarket with 'Spokes Mr Bikerail' and a jolly Bromptoneer with a Railfuture leaning discussing our experiences on the 'new' train - twice the Eastbound tram could not get out onto West Maitland Street because of the queue of cars at the pedestrian crossing lights, and the driver had to force in to the flow setting off Eastbound when the lights changed, on a number of other occasions it got a bit close, as the tram driver crept slowly past the rear end of a car sticking back over the track. How often is this still happening?
posts
