A QGIS-Based Framework for the Mapping of Railway Trespassing in Urban Areas

Trespassing on railway tracks represents the main cause of accidents in railway transport, often resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Understanding railway trespassing requires integration of multiple data sources, as accident data alone do not capture its spatial and behavioural characteristics. This study identifies key parameters (variables) for developing a QGIS-based trespassing database. It represents the first step toward creating a comprehensive risk assessment tool for the railway network’s susceptibility to trespassing and the potential risk of trespass-related accidents. The methodology integrates secondary data sources, including accident records, railway infrastructure data, and demographic and socioeconomic data, with primary data collected at trespassing locations (GPS coordinates, behavioural observations, patterns, and environmental characteristics). A key challenge was integrating data from multiple sources into a unified database suitable for GIS spatial analysis. The results include mapping trespassing locations by kilometre position and GPS coordinates, as well as creating a structured multimodal database containing detailed information. The developed database enables spatial analysis, supports the identification of trespassing hotspots and provides a foundation for trespassing prevention.