I believe it to be more common in the EU to have dangly bits (metal fencing?) that hangs from the barrier to the floor. when the barrier lifts up they 'fold' vertical. This presents a proper barrier (that stops kids, cyclists, pedestrians from getting under the barrier when deployed), the 'struts' are painted red and white so they're very visible. *can't speak for absolutely everywhere, but my ride to work there are two sets of tracks I pass that have barriers that are designed to stop the stupid. Oh, I guess self-driving vehicles, too, now.