Tom Anderson wrote:
On Thu, 10 Feb 2005, Paul Corfield wrote:


On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 00:23:11 +0000, Michael Hoffman
wrote:


Richard J. wrote:


Has there been any research into the effectiveness of general
exhortations about keeping your belongings with you, about CCTV
coverage, about not smoking, etc.?

I have always found it particularly hard to believe that the warning
not to leave personal belongings on the train was useful whatsoever.
While not smoking is a rule someone might not know, people will not
purposefully leave their belongings on trains, and I never think "have
I left anything on the train?" when I hear the announcement.

Maybe that's because I think about it before I get up and many people
don't? It really puzzles me.

You would not be puzzled if you read the daily report every day and saw
how many times there are disruptions because of luggage and items being
left behind. People can be completely clueless at times.

There is a security issue which cannot be ignored and while it may be
tiresome LU is required to respond in a particular way for a given
security rating. We have no choice and therefore prevention is better
then people being delayed.


Freeze! Put your hands on your head and step AWAY from the fallacy!

It is a security and operational issue, and LU do of course have to do
something about it. However, those announcements are only "doing
something" if they *work*, and the contention being bandied about is that
they don't. As has been pointed out, the kind of person (which might be
normal people in a certain state of mind) who forgets their baggage is
probably not going to be much affected by the announcements. Has this been
tested empirically?

What alternative is there? Get everyone to check in their personal
belongings item-by-item on entry to the system, store it on an Oyster
card and then check them out upon exit?

It's inevitable that forgetful people will... erm... forget. Making
announcements might not affect some people, but probably will affect others.

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London