Guidance - User Types

User Types

User Type

Key Characteristics

Defining Risks

User Variant

Pedestrian	Any crossing user on foot	See specific pedestrian user types below.
User for who English is not their first language	Users who might be unfamiliar with the English language or UK level crossing procedures, i.e. tourists or persons visiting the UK on work.	User unable to interpret the level crossing signage. User unfamiliar with UK level crossing procedures. Users using their experience with level crossing procedures from their home country - incorrect mental model
Dog walker	A pedestrian with a dog on or off the lead.	Dog is an encumbrance. The dog can provide an additional difficulty if it is startled or distracted. If the dog is off the lead, it might run onto the railway, especially if startled. The pedestrian might be inclined to follow the dog to retrieve it.
Cyclist	An individual remaining mounted on bike throughout the crossing traverse, or dismounting before the traverse	Might approach crossing at higher speed than general pedestrian. Elevated risk of wheels becoming trapped/user becoming destabilised on crossing surface. Bicycle is an encumbrance.
Horse rider	An individual remaining mounted on a horse throughout the crossing traverse, or dismounting before the crossing	Horse might not be under full control of rider or might startle. User might miss critical crossing information due to elevated height. Horse is an encumbrance.
Wheelchair or mobility scooter user	An individual in a wheelchair.	Scooters have higher speeds than wheelchairs (up to 10mph). User might approach crossing at higher speed than a general pedestrian. Wheelchairs move slower than mobility scooters. They have smaller wheels and are less able to deal with uneven terrain. Might have difficulty operating and navigating over crossing as their hands are occupied. User might miss critical crossing information due to relatively low eye level.
Car driver	An individual or group driving a car.	Driver might be either public or commercial. Might be part of a group and have distractions within the car.
Van driver	An individual or group driving a van.	Driver might be either public or commercial.
HGV driver	An individual or couple driving and HGV.	Commercial user. User might miss critical crossing information due to elevated height.
Motorcyclist	An individual driving a motorcycle.	Might approach crossing at higher speed than general pedestrian. Elevated risk of wheels becoming trapped/user becoming destabilised on crossing surface. Motorcycle is an encumbrance. User unlikely to dismount before traversing the crossing.
Farmer - Driving farming machinery		User might miss critical crossing information due to elevated height. User might be driving under time pressure.
Farmer - Herding livestock	An individual herding two or more animals over the crossing.	Animals are an encumbrance. Animal behaviour might be unpredictable, might wander onto the railway. Animals might take a long time to cross.
Train user/commuter	User with specific goal of catching a train (e.g. crossings at /adjacent to stations. User on a regular journey to/from their place of work.	User might feel time pressure. Likely to be frequent and familiar crossing users.
Other (signaller, train driver)

Age Groups - Standard Pedestrian

Elderly (65+)	An individual aged 65+.	More likely to be subject to mobility, visual and auditory impairments.
Youth (11-18yr)	Secondary school age children - school journey or for recreation after school or at weekends.	Children are not likely to be accompanied by adults and are more likely to traverse in groups of school age peers (hence susceptible to peer group pressure and risk taking behaviours). This age group also associated with playing chicken.
Child (4-10yr)	Primary school age children - school journey or for recreation after school or at weekends.	Children in this group are likely to be accompanied by adults, but older children in this range might be less likely to be accompanied. Might fail to fully understand crossing risks. This age group also associated with playing chicken.

Disclaimer

The LXRMTK has been designed to support the level crossing risk assessment process. All information included in the LXRMTK is intended for information purposes only and does not represent explicit advice or recommendation. In all cases, site specific circumstances must be considered before decisions in risk mitigations are made. The Rail Safety and Standards Board expressly disclaims any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, comprehensiveness, or suitability of the information for a particular purpose. The LXRMTK has been produced in good faith and RSSB is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or results obtained from the use of the information herein.

It should be noted that toolkit focuses on the errors and violations of crossing users and that content on operational risks at level crossings in not exhaustive. If this is your area of interest, please contact Network Rail's National Ergonomics Specialist Team for further advice.

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