The Neuroinclusive Design Toolkit

When designing a train, it is important to consider how the design impacts all users, including both staff and passengers. Although existing legislation and standards cover many areas, guidance on designing for cognitive diversity remains limited. While regulatory requirements around cognitive inclusivity are sparse, there is a growing aspiration within legislation (e.g., ACC NTSN) and Train Technical Specifications (TTS) for train design to embrace neurodiversity. 

Recognising this industry gap, DCA developed the Neuroinclusive Design Toolkit. A website article summarising the principles behind this toolkit was published online in January 2025, featured in the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) magazine, The Ergonomist, in March 2025, and presented at the RSSB Human Factors in Rail Conference in September 2025.

The toolkit is built on a set of heuristics designed to evaluate train concepts based on how their environments and communications affect a diverse range of people. These heuristics draw upon guidance from the built environment (BS 8300-2:2018, BS 8300-1:2018, and PAS 6463), have been adapted specifically for the rail environment, and refined through extensive engagement with diverse stakeholders. The toolkit groups considerations into two primary areas: 

• Environment – Developing spaces that account for the varied sensory responses of different individuals.
• Communication – Explicitly considering how the presentation of information (including its absence) impacts various individuals. 

As detailed in the summary card, these two categories can be further subdivided into specific areas of interest. While this list of considerations is not exhaustive, it provides a robust starting point to inform the design process.

We have developed a series of ten cards designed to promote consideration of how a train’s design influences a neurodiverse range of users. 

Each card approaches the design from a different angle, containing a series of prompts that encourage the design team to evaluate the impact of the current design and question how it could be improved. The cards serve as prompts for the Human Factors team, as well as collaborative artefacts that can be shared with a diverse range of stakeholders. 

They can be reviewed and refined at the start of a project to reflect specific project goals and the TTS. Where unique requirements are in place, these can easily be added to the cards.

It can be tempting to think of neuroinclusive design assessment as something that happens once, towards the end of the design process, perhaps when the Colour, Materials, and Finish (CMF) have all been defined. However, as with all Human Factors assessments, the best outcomes are achieved when neuroinclusive design is considered throughout the entire design lifecycle. 

The consideration of neurodiversity is a vital part of inclusive design (alongside addressing physical and sensory diversity). Just as we wouldn’t design a train and consider cost, safety, or efficiency only at the end, we must think about inclusivity in the same proactive way.

We believe the Neuroinclusive Design Toolkit works best when used in tandem with a wider Human Factors assessment. It is generally more efficient to consider train inclusivity for all users simultaneously (at both physical, sensory and cognitive levels) while performing a formal clause-by-clause assessment against key legislation (e.g., ACC NTSN or TSI PRM) and relevant standards. 

It is proposed that the Neuroinclusive Design Toolkit be applied at key milestones throughout the project. The assessment approach has been specifically developed to be applied consistently as the design evolves and matures. 

By embedding the Neuroinclusive Design Toolkit into early project phases and keeping it active across all development milestones, design teams can move beyond mere compliance. Ultimately, designing for cognitive diversity creates rail environments that are clearer, less stressful, and more intuitive, thereby delivering a measurably better journey for every passenger.