Yong Woon Chung1, Sung Jin Kang2, Tetsuya Matsubayashi3, Yasuyuki Sawada4, Michiko Ueda5. 1. Korea University, South Korea. 2. Korea University and Green School, KU-KIST, South Korea. 3. Osaka University, Japan. 4. The University of Tokyo, Japan. 5. Syracuse University, United States. Electronic address: michiko.uedaballmer@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Subway suicide can significantly impact the general public. Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) are considered to be an effective strategy to prevent suicides at subway stations, but the evidence on their effectiveness is limited. METHODS: We assessed the effectiveness of installing half- and full-height platform screen doors in reducing subway suicides using Poisson regression analysis. Ten-year monthly panel data for 121 subway stations between 2003 and 2012 in the Seoul metropolitan area were used for the analysis. RESULTS: We found that installing PSDs decreases fatal suicide cases by 89% (95% CI: 57-97%). We also found that the installation of full-height PSDs resulted in the elimination of subway suicides by completely blocking access to the track area; however, half-height PSDs, which do not extend to the ceiling of the platform, were not as effective as full-height ones. LIMITATION: Our findings were based on the data from a single subway operator for a limited period of time. Accordingly, we did not consider the possibility that some passengers choose to die at a station run by other operators. Our study did not examine the potential substitution effects of other suicide methods. CONCLUSION: Installing physical barriers at subway stations can be an effective strategy to reduce the number of subway suicides; however, half-height PSDs are not as effective as full-height ones, even when they are as high as the height of an adult. Thus, these barriers should be made high enough so that nobody can climb over them.
BACKGROUND: Subway suicide can significantly impact the general public. Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) are considered to be an effective strategy to prevent suicides at subway stations, but the evidence on their effectiveness is limited. METHODS: We assessed the effectiveness of installing half- and full-height platform screen doors in reducing subway suicides using Poisson regression analysis. Ten-year monthly panel data for 121 subway stations between 2003 and 2012 in the Seoul metropolitan area were used for the analysis. RESULTS: We found that installing PSDs decreases fatal suicide cases by 89% (95% CI: 57-97%). We also found that the installation of full-height PSDs resulted in the elimination of subway suicides by completely blocking access to the track area; however, half-height PSDs, which do not extend to the ceiling of the platform, were not as effective as full-height ones. LIMITATION: Our findings were based on the data from a single subway operator for a limited period of time. Accordingly, we did not consider the possibility that some passengers choose to die at a station run by other operators. Our study did not examine the potential substitution effects of other suicide methods. CONCLUSION: Installing physical barriers at subway stations can be an effective strategy to reduce the number of subway suicides; however, half-height PSDs are not as effective as full-height ones, even when they are as high as the height of an adult. Thus, these barriers should be made high enough so that nobody can climb over them.
Authors: Chukwudi Okolie; Suzanne Wood; Keith Hawton; Udai Kandalama; Alexander C Glendenning; Michael Dennis; Sian F Price; Keith Lloyd; Ann John Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2020-02-25
Authors: Yongil Lee; Young-Chul Lee; Taesung Kim; Jin Seok Choi; Duckshin Park Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-11-12 Impact factor: 3.390