Railway accident investigators have called for all Luas trams to be fitted with new anti-drag technology following a series of incidents in which passengers were dragged along platforms after themselves or their belongings became trapped in closing doors.
The Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) has issued a safety advice notice after investigating four separate “trap-and-drag” incidents between April and June. It warned that such incidents could result in serious injuries or even fatalities.
One of the most serious incidents occurred at the Stillorgan stop on the Green Line on 15 May. A teenage girl suffered a deep cut to her face and grazes to her hands and knees after her coat became trapped in the tram doors before she had boarded.
The girl ran alongside the moving tram in an attempt to free herself before eventually releasing the coat and falling to the platform. The driver was unaware of the incident, while other passengers contacted emergency services. She was later taken to hospital by ambulance.
In another incident at Heuston on 21 April, a man trapped one of his fingertips in the doors while attempting to board a tram. He ran alongside the Luas until the driver became aware of the situation and stopped the vehicle. He was not injured.
A similar incident occurred at the Hospital stop in Tallaght on 17 June, when a dog boarded a Red Line tram but its owner was unable to get on before the doors closed. With the dog's lead wrapped around her wrist, the woman was dragged alongside the tram until she managed to free herself and fell onto the platform. She suffered minor cuts, while the dog was unharmed.
At Busáras on 29 May, two passengers had a bag trapped in the doors as they attempted to board a tram. The driver stopped after being alerted by passengers inside.
Investigators found that Luas door systems can detect obstructions only where a gap of at least 10 millimetres remains between the doors. In all four cases, the trapped items were smaller than this, allowing the doors to close and lock.
The RAIU said that improved obstacle detection and dedicated anti-drag technology could likely have prevented the incidents. It also criticised existing warning stickers as ineffective and noted widespread public misunderstanding about how tram doors operate.
Among its recommendations, the RAIU called for improved sensors and CCTV, more prominent “shark’s teeth” warning stickers, a public safety campaign and greater emphasis on drivers checking cameras and mirrors before leaving stops. It also said clearer, high-definition camera systems could help drivers identify trapped passengers or objects.
The recommendations come as the Luas operating contract is due to transfer from Transdev Dublin Light Rail to Keolis Amey Light Rail Dublin Limited on 1 September.
