Metro has posted a new round of Safetyville videos this week. The idea here is a good one: use stick figures to vividly show the pitfalls of behaving dangerously around trains, which are really big, don’t stop on a dime and extremely worthy of everyone’s respect.
The first set of Safetyville videos came out in 2016 and received — rightfully, I think — national media attention. The guess here is that the second set of videos will also attract a lot of eyeballs. It’s worth noting that Metro Trains Melbourne’s “Dumb Ways to Die” video has received over 174 million views on YouTube alone.
As for Metro, our Community Education team has a series of ongoing programs focusing on increasing safe ridership through informative, site-specific safety programs. The department’s Transit Safety Program also offers safety presentations at schools, businesses, recreation centers and senior centers near rail lines (Blue, Expo and Gold) that run along streets.
Riders: any safety issues you believe need to be addressed? Comment please.
Categories: Transportation News
[…] Para la seguridad de todos, habrá personal de vigilancia de Metro en todas las estaciones. Como siempre, por favor tengan cuidado alrededor de los autobuses, trenes y cruces de vías. Si caminan a través de los cruces de vías, obedezcan todos los letreros y señales de seguridad. […]
Just shared this with our office – hilarious! And informative.
It would be more useful if they played it on the platforms and inside the trains. I seldom look for Metro safety videos on YouTube.
Hi,
As we add more digital display boards to our stations, that’s something we’re looking in to. These videos will also be shown at community presentations — hopefully the shock value will get folks to retain the information!
Anna Chen
Writer, The Source
[…] Metro Has New Stick-Figure Train Safety Videos (The Source) […]
Has there been any talk about installing platform doors along the Red and Purple lines, or at least the new stations along the Purple Line extension? It really shouldn’t be a possibility for people to come into contact with a train on those lines.
Hi T.C.
At this time, no platform doors are planned and I don’t recall it being studied.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Platform doors are common on other subways – shouldn’t they at least be considered?
Speaking of that, it always amazes (actually stunts) me that there are no barriers at all for the light rail tracks overpasses along many sections of Metro light rail lines. For example (1) between Lincoln/Cypress and Chinatown Stations, above LA River. (2) between Chinatown and Union Station. Also multiple sections along the Blue Line.
Save for rush hours at 7th St./Metro Center, what crowds warrant such an investment?
These videos (and the artwork) are really a good idea. But, we need more. Like physical safety barriers where needed. I find station platforms very frightening. Especially when I see elderly or handicapped people tottering near the edge. Even if they are behind the yellow line, they could fall toward the edge. And, unattended children running down the platform. All tragedies waiting to happen. Wouldn’t it be possible to have movable barriers with sensors that would not allow them to open unless a train were actually standing still with the doors open? Yes, I know that these might be expensive. But, what is a human life worth?