Rapid Transit in Singapore - Safety

Safety

Operators and authorities state that numerous measures have been taken to ensure the safety of passengers, and SBS Transit publicised the safety precautions on the driverless North East Line before and after its opening. Safety campaign posters are highly visible in trains and stations, and the operators frequently broadcast safety announcements to passengers and to commuters waiting for trains. Fire safety standards are consistent with the strict guidelines of the US National Fire Protection Association. Platform screen doors are installed at all underground stations, with Half-Height Platform Screen Doors (HHPSDs) currently being built at all above-ground stations. These prevent suicides, enable climate control in stations, and prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas. Above-ground stations have open platforms, with a wide yellow line drawn 70 cm from each platform edge requiring passengers to stand at a safe distance from arriving trains (or face a fine). Under the Rapid Transit Systems Act, acts such as smoking, eating or drinking on stations and trains, the misuse of emergency equipment and trespassing on the railway tracks are illegal, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Safety concerns were raised among the public after several accidents on the system during the 1980s and 1990s, but most problems have been rectified. On 5 August 1993, two trains collided at Clementi station because of an oil spillage on the track, which resulted in 132 injuries. There were calls for platform screen doors to be installed at above-ground stations after several incidents in which passengers were killed by oncoming trains when they fell on to the railway tracks at above-ground stations. The authorities initially rejected the proposal by casting doubts over functionality and concerns about the high installation costs, but made an about-turn when the government announced plans to install Half-Height Platform Screen Doors (HHPSDs) in a speech on 25 January 2008, citing lower costs due to its becoming a more common feature worldwide. The HHPSDs were first installed on the platforms of Jurong East station (original platforms), Pasir Ris station and Yishun station in 2009 as trials, and all other elevated stations (together with Jurong East station for JEMP platforms) will have platform screen doors installed eventually. On 7 March 2012, Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament that all remaining elevated stations on NSEWL would be fitted with HHPSDs by March 2012, and its already 25 years for the North South and East West lines that both opened in 1987. A preliminary implementation plan for railway noise mitigation is to be developed by the third quarter of 2012. As of 14 March 2012, all above-ground stations on the North South and East West Lines are installed with HHPSDs and operational.