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Abstract

Few studies of the effectiveness of warnings have evaluated the extent to which the warning actually affects the behavior that can lead to the hazard. This study provided such an opportunity. It arose because a person was injured while climbing onto a commuter rail platform instead of using the stairs that were at the other end of the platform. It was suggested that a warning may have deterred the hazardous behavior. Persons were observed by video approaching and climbing onto the platform at two stations having similar characteristics as where the accident occurred, both before and after a sign warning of the hazard was erected. Before and after the sign was in place all who approached the end without the stairs climbed onto the platform, even those who clearly looked at the sign. The sign had no effect on changing the behavior.

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Effectiveness of a Warning as Measured by Behavior Change

Abstract

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