Trial projects launched to prevent suicide on the rails
Rail infrastructure authority Infrabel is launching two trial projects in the coming weeks to decrease the number of people attempting suicide on Belgium’s train tracks
Blue lighting has a calming effect
The Belgian railways are confronted with three suicide attempts per week on average. Infrabel is installing blue LED lamps at the end of platforms of the higher-risk train stations. The lighting has a calming effect on distressed people, and a similar project in Japan has shown a decrease in suicide attempts.
The second trial project entails the installation of regular and thermal cameras that detect heat and movement. If someone stands still at specific points on the railway tracks for a certain number of seconds, the system will alert the Security Operations Centre (SOC).
The trial projects will be carried out at 24 key spots on the railway network. Infrabel is also installing extra fences and co-operating with both organisations and scientists working on suicide prevention.
