London Tube attempt to reduce suicide

London Tube company is eager to prevent suicides of passengers.

Independent: Suicide attempts on Tube fall for first time in five years as TfL staff interventions double

According to the report, the suicide rate on Tube is decreasing in these years. It might be a fruit of intervention for this issue. Transport for London is strengthening the training of the workers so that they can successfully detect passengers with risk and telling them to treat such people with sympathetic ways.

Suicide is not a rare occasion for us. Therefore, each of us should be aware that we are somewhat responsible to prevent the suicide of our neighbors.

 I never deny the influence of successful intervention by humans to prevent suicide. On the other hand, I believe that the most effective way to prevent suicide is to develop the fence at the end of each platform. A physical barrier is beneficial to suppress impulsive behaviors.

I have no data on the effectiveness of the fence for reducing incidence. But, it is likely some people hesitate to throw their body on the rail only when the fence interrupts it. Indeed, new legislation to mandatory developing of the fence on the top of building in Hongkong, maybe, reduced the suicide rate.

Protection with the fence is costly. In Japan, although several platforms equip the fence, many are still bare. I expect the railway companies can invest the protection as soon as possible.