Rail passenger crowding, stress, health and safety in Britain
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2006
Subject Area
operations - capacity, operations - crowding, planning - safety/accidents, planning - surveys, mode - rail, literature review - literature review
Keywords
United Kingdom, Stress (Psychology), Stress (Human), Railway carriages, Railroad travel, Rail transit, Psychosocial aspects, Psychological effects, Psychological aspects, Physiological effects, Physiological aspects, Perception, Passengers, Passenger handling, Passenger compartments, Passenger comfort, Passenger cars, Passenger capacity, Overcrowding, Mental stress, Literature surveys, Literature reviews, Health, Great Britain, Crowds, Crowding
Abstract
There has long been a question as to whether crowding in rail passenger transport poses a threat to passenger health related to the experience of stress. A review of the scientific literature was conducted. Little rail-specific empirical research was identified. The more general research that does exist suggests that high-density environments are not necessarily perceived as crowded and that stress-related physiological, psychological and behavioural reactions do not necessarily follow from exposure to such environments. Several factors are identified that may moderate the impact of a high-density environment on perceptions of crowding and the subsequent experience and effects of stress. These include, inter alia, perceptions of control and predictability of events. However, if caused, the experience and effects of stress may be made worse by inadequate coach design that gives rise to discomfort. The model that emerges from these findings offers a suitable framework for the development of research questions that should help translate emerging knowledge into practical interventions, for the reduction of any adverse health outcomes associated with crowding.
Recommended Citation
Cox, Tom, Houdmont, Jonathan, Griffiths, Amanda, (2006). Rail passenger crowding, stress, health and safety in Britain. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 40, Issue 3, pp 244-258.
Comments
Transportation Research Part A Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09658564