Report 2014/06
Railway report 2014/06
On Wednesday 17 October 2013, a person was hit by a light rail vehicle at the Mårdalen stop on Bergen Light Rail. The person died at the scene of the accident.
The accident occurred as the person was in the process of crossing the tracks some way away from the pedestrian crossing in order to get to the platform on the other side. It is assumed that the deceased was focusing on the vehicle standing at the platform on the opposite side in order to take it to work, and therefore failed to notice the light rail vehicle coming from the left on the nearest track.
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation JB no 2014/08T
The deceased did not notice that a light rail vehicle heading in the direction of the city centre was approaching the stop and therefore started to cross the track. Bergen Light Rail has emphasised openness and accessibility at its stops, and physical barriers such as guide fences and railings are little used, including at stops. The problem of separation has been solved visually by distinguishing between areas and marking places where pedestrians can cross.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway proposes that the Norwegian Railway Inspectorate recommend Bybanen AS to identify measures that can substantiate that Bergen Light Rail's stops are designed in a manner that ensures that all users can cross safely. This includes users with an impaired ability to perceive and avoid dangerous situations, for example children, the elderly and people with other forms of functional impairment.
Facts
| Location | Mårdalen light rail stop in Bergen |
| Occurrence date | 17.10.2013 |
| Train No | Variobahn-vogn 208 |
| Type of Transportation | Tram |
| Type of occurrence | Collision |