Are colour vision standards justified for the transport industry?

Colour vision standards are imposed in the road, rail, maritime and aviation industries and are often subject to vigorous opposition by those excluded by the standard. With greater emphasis in recent years on equality of opportunity, it is important that standards of personal fitness, such as colour vision standards, be subject to critical scrutiny. Such appraisal should be able to demonstrate that the community benefit arising from the application of the standard is sufficient to justify the personal and other costs of retaining the standard. This paper reviews the evidence relating to colour vision standards in the transport industries and concludes that a strong case can be made for their retention in public transport.