How to design a metro train stop that would prevent people from endangering themselves by accessing the rails when a metro arrives (perhaps by implementing the design of special doors or elevators leading into the train itself)?


Turin's unmanned tube (Italy) has barriers that extend from the quay to the ceiling of the basement. It is virtually impossible to fall on the tracks without tampering with the automatic doors.

Pratical example:

Turin's Tube

(Operating: https://youtu.be/Fab0mLzBxts?t=70)

I think this is a great solution.

  • 3
    I've seen this applied in many other countries as well – Luciano Feb 13 at 16:03
  • This is essentially a horizontal elevator shaft design. – Jasper Mar 12 at 4:19

In Japan they use fences to stop this from happening. enter image description here

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    This surely acts like a barrier for children but I think full walls like Gabriele suggested are far more effective for suicide attempts. – Levano Feb 12 at 11:37
  • I have seen this in London, Paris and not completely sure but I think Madrid's Airport has it as well – Devin Feb 12 at 18:04

You can't design a sign that stops people from doing that, you would need something physical which makes it impossible to enter the rails, just like in cities like singapur, where a gate is placed in front of the rails which only opens when the train opened it doors so people can enter.

What you can do is place something like a printed line 1 meter before the rails on the ground with flashy colors like yellow/red/pink etc. and place a text like "Watch your step" etc. between it.

Bonus points if you don't just use a printed line but use a physical line that has a different texture/height then the ground, people will automatically be aware that they are close to the rails when stepping on that.

Found an example on google which shows you what i mean

enter image description here

  • "Bonus points if you don't just use a printed line but use a physical line" - Isn't it actually required by law? For blind people and the like? – John Dvorak Feb 12 at 9:47
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    Yes and no. Those kinds of lines are problematic for people with mobility issues, e.g., wheelchair users, older people, people with bad knees – Karl Brown Feb 12 at 10:54
  • "different texture/height" A different texture – such as dimples that are sometimes seen/felt – yes. Something with a different height is likely to cause more harm from people tripping over it than it would save! – TripeHound Feb 12 at 16:24

london Westminster tube stop has physical barriers that make it impossible to cross onto the railway. Double doors synchronise with the train doors on arrival, like the double doors on a lift.

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    It's actually the Jubilee Line which was built to this spec ( being a more modern line ) – PhillipW Feb 13 at 18:14

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