RAIB has released its report into a fatal collision between a tram and a pedestrian, near Saughton tram stop, Edinburgh, 11 September 2018.
At 12:10 hrs on Tuesday 11 September 2018, a pedestrian who was using a footpath crossing near the Saughton tram stop, was struck and fatally injured by a tram travelling at 53 km/h (33 mph) from Edinburgh city centre towards Edinburgh airport.
The pedestrian was seemingly unaware that the tram was approaching when he walked onto the crossing. The evidence indicates that from the point where he would have had a clear view of the approaching tram, he was not looking out for trams. He may have looked earlier, but would not have had a clear view of approaching trams from the footpath.
The investigation found that although the tram driver had used the tram’s bell to sound repeated warnings on the approach to the crossing, this audible warning was not sufficiently loud for it to be heard and acted upon by the pedestrian until it was too late.
The RAIB found that the tram’s audible warning devices were not sufficiently loud to provide an effective warning to pedestrians under many operational circumstances. It also found that Edinburgh Trams Limited did not have a process in place for regularly reviewing the risks at its off-street pedestrian crossings.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made four recommendations. One of the recommendations is for Edinburgh Trams Limited to improve the audibility of its trams’ warning devices.
Another recommendation is for it to identify the risk factors associated with its off- street pedestrian crossings and to develop a process for regularly reviewing the risk control measures.
Two further recommendations are made to the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB). One is to improve the current guidance on the audibility of tram warning devices and another is to improve the guidance on the design and layout of tram footpath crossings.
The report also identifies a learning point concerning the importance of maintaining records relating to risks that have been identified during project safety assurance processes, and requesting appropriate technical expertise where necessary.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Correa’s family, Jayne Crawford, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “The family, who are still grieving their loss, are shocked by a damning report prepared by the RAIB identifying several areas of failings in respect of public safety.
“Even the most basic risk assessment and investigation would have identified appropriate safety measures, any one of which could have prevented Mr Correa’s death.
“In essence, the report suggests that in the many millions of public funds lavished on the Edinburgh’s tram project, little attention was paid to simple, industry standard, safety measures.
“The family welcome the recommendations set out within the RAIB’s report and hope that Edinburgh trams follow up on the necessary safety measures to ensure that such tragic accidents are prevented in the future.”
Lea Harrison, managing director of Edinburgh Trams, said: “Providing a safe tramway for the city is imperative for Edinburgh Trams.
“We have worked closely with the RAIB throughout their investigation, and prior to the publication of today’s report Edinburgh Trams installed a new louder horn system across the fleet.
“Improvements have been made to the crossing at Saughton including additional signage, alerting pedestrians look both ways for trams and a small fence has been built to guide pedestrians to a safe crossing point.
“Foliage and hedges have also been removed to improve sightlines. An off-street crossings review has been completed with all additional measures to be implemented by the end of 2019.”
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