In 2024, the UK Department for Transport commissioned the National Centre for Social Research to conduct a Rapid Evidence Assessment and qualitative interviews with a range of stakeholders. The aim of the research was to better understand the determinants of rail suicide, the effectiveness of prevention measures, the impacts of rail suicide on staff and passengers, and mitigation strategies to reduce impacts. The research aims to support the Department’s in designing future policies, developing guidance, and prioritising research efforts in rail suicide prevention.
The report presents findings from 50 pieces of academic and grey literature alongside insights from stakeholder interviews. The literature that was reviewed consisted of a mix of evidence reviews, and primary and secondary research. The evidence included in the report is from the UK and other countries where it was felt that the evidence may have applicability to the UK context.
Some selected findings relevant for Australia are listed below.
The review found evidence suggesting that rail suicides in the UK tends to cluster around specific locations and that a range of environmental factors increased the risk of rail suicide:
- Individuals who died by rail suicide tended to choose locations near their home or place of residence;
- Tracks and smaller stations were the most common location for rail suicides in England, as opposed to larger stations, foot crossings, level crossings or bridges;
- Evidence from outside of the UK suggested that commuter areas and areas with high population density were associated with higher rates of rail suicide. However, factors such as train traffic density, speed of trains, and accessibility of tracks could affect and confound this association.
The review found strong evidence on the effectiveness of physical barriers in preventing rail suicides:
- Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) were highly effective in underground stations but had limited applicability in the UK’s open rail network. Full-length PSDs showed the greatest impact, while half-sized PSDs demonstrated lower effectiveness;
- Fencing along tracks showed significant promise and were particularly relevant as tracks were the second most common location for rail suicides in the UK.
The review also found international evidence on the effectiveness of other types of interventions:
- Media reporting guidelines reduced rail suicides and attempts, though these have not been formally evaluated on social media;
- Security personnel in stations and surveillance systems on tracks and railway bridges were effective in reducing rail suicide and trespassing.
There was some evidence to suggest that staff training programmes increased staff confidence in identifying and intervening in suicide attempts and AI-powered CCTV systems showed potential for early detection and intervention, though their practical implementation requires further research.
The review found evidence to suggest that rail suicides and accidental fatalities can have significant psychological effects on train drivers. These included:
- Severe psychological distress, leading to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression;
- Occupational impacts for drivers witnessing rail suicide, such as having to take sick leave, having to adapt their work practices and, in some cases, leaving the profession altogether.
Although this study found little evidence regarding the impacts on other staff, some evidence indicated that rail suicides and accidental fatalities increased levels of stress among other rail staff including railway engineers, train crew members and rail industry employees who stopped or intervened in a suicide attempt.
Trauma support training was rated very highly by rail staff, who felt it reduced stress post event.
The full report can be accessed here.
Updated 30/9/2025