Yet More 'Nannying' - at Guildford

[Deepgreen]

Who exactly is this sign supposed to be for? For those unable to see the attachment, it is a stencilled sign on the ground saying Mind the Steps' at the foot of a staircase. Just more visual clutter of absolutely no use at all - presumably just to cover the TOC in the event of a fall on the stairs by people glued to their phones. The logical next stage of this trend, perhaps, is - 'Warning - Gravity in Operation'. Aaargh!

BTW, given that so many seem to have missed my point - I don't mean the directional flow signs, which are fine, I meant the "Mind the Steps" sign, which will be invisible when busy and also invisible to those glued to their phones, etc. It's a staircase - what do people think will be there?!

 

[Javelin_55]

I know what you mean, and it definitely seems like overkill in that photo, but I should imagine a station like Guildford gets tremendously busy at peak times with lots of people rushing for connections (if not now then certainly before Covid) and all people need is a nudge in the right direction so no-one has an accident. Crowds are only as smart as the people at the front. I personally don't begrudge signage that's there to make sure we're all informed and on the same page. Same logic with road signs.

I've noticed quite a few of the major interchanges on SWR have these. Their side of Clapham Junction does, but I'm not sure the GTR side does. Happy to be corrected on that.

 

[setdown]

I think this is a general attitude thing with SWR. The amount of both automated and manual on-board safety announcements repeated after every stop, is not matched by any other operator I've travelled with.

 

[172007]

First thought. Needs to be copied and introduced at a certain Birmingham station. Brilliant idea.

Things like this do work on a subconscious level and make it easier for people going against the flow. Even 40% of people taking note makes a difference.

 

[swt_passenger]

It’s not exactly a new idea is it? Might be new to that location but I‘m sure I‘ve seen it before, and years ago.

 

[ollyexe2808]

First thought. Needs to be copied and introduced at a certain Birmingham station. Brilliant idea.

Things like this do work on a subconscious level and make it easier for people going against the flow. Even 40% of people taking note makes a difference.

Absolutely agree. It is by far not "nannying" - it is a visual way to direct flow. When stations get busy, it can take a moment to work out where you're going (particularly if you're unfamiliar with the location). I echo what @YorkshireBear said - how does it impact your life?

 

[JB_B]

Who exactly is this sign supposed to be for? Just more visual clutter of absolutely no use at all - presumably just to cover the TOC in the event of a fall on the stairs by people glued to the phones. The logical next stage of this trend, perhaps, is - 'Warning - Gravity in Operation'. Aaargh!

Hard to see anything wrong with it. Distracted humans are terrible at responding to what's going on around them ( especially but not only when they're looking at their phones from which they'll glance up only occasionally. ) The more chances you have to get the message across the better.

 

[CyrusWuff]

It’s not exactly a new idea is it? Might be new to that location but I‘m sure I‘ve seen it before, and years ago.

Similar signage has been in place at Derby and Sheffield (among others) for several years for starters.

 

[J-2739]

Similar signage has been in place at Derby and Sheffield (among others) for several years for starters.

At Sheffield in particular, this isn't always well complied with, especially for those in a rush.

 

[Deepgreen]

First thought. Needs to be copied and introduced at a certain Birmingham station. Brilliant idea.

Things like this do work on a subconscious level and make it easier for people going against the flow. Even 40% of people taking note makes a difference.

No - not the directional signs - the printing on the floor that tells us there are steps - it's a staircase; what do people expect will be on a staircase?!

 

[NSEWonderer]

I see nothing wrong, you only need to see how oblivious people are at stations to understand why the nannying happens. To those who have their wits about them when on the Railway then you'll most likely not see the point in it and the constant announcements but you'd be a minority compared to most of thebusers they've been made for.

 

[Deepgreen]

Hard to see anything wrong with it. Distracted humans are terrible at responding to what's going on around them ( especially but not only when they're looking at their phones from which they'll glance up only occasionally. ) The more chances you have to get the message across the better.

If you are so distracted that you approach a staircase without realising there are steps, then all is lost...

 

[ollyexe2808]

No - not the directional signs - the printing on the floor that tells us there are steps - it's a staircase; what do people expect will be on a staircase?!

Haven't signs like this been around for years? If it was my elderly relative getting off the train, I would be quite glad that there was signage on the floor, especially if they were not used to the layout of the station. I get quite distracted too, if I am trying to work out where I am going or if I am talking to someone else etc. If it's busy, the fact the steps are right there may not be immediately obvious. It doesn't make a difference to my life, but it may help others. It's not hurting anyone is it?

 

[Deepgreen]

I see nothing wrong, you only need to see how oblivious people are at stations to understand why the nannying happens. To those who have their wits about them when on the Railway then you'll most likely not see the point in it and the constant announcements but you'd be a minority compared to most of thebusers they've been made for.

Adding yet another set of writing on the floor will make no difference at all to those it is presumably aimed at - those who are unaware of their surroundings, for that very reason.

 

[800001]

No - not the directional signs - the printing on the floor that tells us there are steps - it's a staircase; what do people expect will be on a staircase?!

People walking head down on there phone, may lose sense of location/direction, but may notice this on the floor.
It’s not causing anyone any issues.

 

[Deepgreen]

Haven't signs like this been around for years? If it was my elderly relative getting off the train, I would be quite glad that there was signage on the floor, especially if they were not used to the layout of the station. I get quite distracted too, if I am trying to work out where I am going or if I am talking to someone else etc. If it's busy, the fact the steps are right there may not be immediately obvious. It doesn't make a difference to my life, but it may help others. It's not hurting anyone is it?

It's the principle of information overkill - so many signs and so many announcements that they become blotted out subconsciously. Where does it end - do we expect signs around platform stanchions, lamp-posts, platform seats, etc., to stop people walking into them? More and more personal responsibility is being eroded away from people. If it was MY elderly relative, for example, I would hope they weren't walking along looking at the floor, but looking ahead at their surroundings, and thereby seeing the huge staircase just in front of them!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Nov 2024 ==

People walking head down on there phone, may lose sense of location/direction, but may notice this on the floor.
It’s not causing anyone any issues.

Exactly - people shouldn't be encouraged to walk like that - perhaps if they fall over they might behave like adults in future and look where they are going! Also, when the writing becomes worn and someone falls, they can potentially make a case that the writing was worn and therefore the TOC was at fault, rather than just behaving responsibly and looking where they are going. Every additional prescribed warning like this takes a little bit more responsibility away from individuals, insidiously.

 

[ollyexe2808]

It's the principle of information overkill - so many signs and so many announcements that they become blotted out subconsciously. Where does it end - do we expect signs around platform stanchions, lamp-posts, platform seats, etc., to stop people walking into them? More and more personal responsibility is being eroded away from people. If it was MY elderly relative, for example, I would hope they weren't walking along looking at the floor, but looking ahead at their surroundings, and thereby seeing the huge staircase just in front of them!

I get your point to a certain extent (and can see the issue of them being blotted out) but I also think there is a middle way to be had. I think personal responsibility is important but there are also certain circumstances where it can be difficult. When I travel to other European countries, I am very glad of signs pointing me in the right direction, warning me of obstructions and other issues because when you're in the moment or anxious about making a connection or similar, anything that helps to warn you of obstacles, issues or sudden drops is a benefit.

You could argue that we shouldn't have Mind The Gap notices, or yellow lines at the edges of platforms. Or indeed other layers of warnings...but they can sometimes be of benefit so perhaps we just need better design too?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Adding yet another set of writing on the floor will make no difference at all to those it is presumably aimed at - those who are unaware of their surroundings, for that very reason.

There will be people who will take notice however and organise themselves as appropriately. In doing so you'd also end up having many people also follow their lead, one thing that often happens in crowds is herd mentality. There is no way even the most oblivious passenger would eventually not see such a sign.

There also is an element of covering the organisations back, if there are clear signs pointing to the correct walking direction and someone ignores that and on climbing the wrong way up is then accidently bumped down by someone going the correct way down then it does cover both the buisness and individual who was correctly using the stairs in the orderly direction.

Companies won't just spend this money in stuff like this all the time unless there is a necessary reason that had led to it.

 

[LYradial]

Useful if you wear specs as that bit a metre in front of your feet is where the lower frame gets in the way, just gives you that extra reminder to be careful, it’s even more useful coming down.

 

[talldave]

Reminds me of my youth, way back in the last century, when someone neatly stencilled "GAP/STEP THE MIND" on the platform at Carshalton Beeches station!

 

[yorkie]

I am not a fan of "nannying" culture in general, but I don't see this as nannying; it's just information and doesn't do any harm.

Clearly someone at either this, or a similar, location had some sort of mishap, otherwise it wouldn't be there. It's not a big deal.

Exactly - people shouldn't be encouraged to walk like that...

Is anyone actually encouraging this?

 

[Pompey00]

To be honest it’s mainly the bigger , busier stations what have them to warn the people who are paying attention to the steps that coming up, and obviously the up one side down the other to make sure it’s safe and no one gets in each other’s way.

Not the anyone follows them people go up and down whatever way they want but end up getting in the way of people.

To the people using their phones not paying attention it’s down to them if they fall over and they aren’t looking.

Personally all stations with steps should have them