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59-510: The Harrington Hump is a modular, easy-to-install system by which the height of a railway platform can be increased at relatively low cost. The system takes its name from Harrington railway station in Cumbria , England , which is the location of the first production version. Since 2011, Harrington Humps have been installed slowly at other railway stations in the UK and elsewhere. Platform height across

118-564: A Delivery of Customer Service Award at the 2009 Civil Service Diversity and Equality Awards . In February 2019, a Hump was proposed for Marsden railway station in West Yorkshire, which would alleviate the problem of a 45 cm drop from train to platform According to the Association of Community Rail Partnerships , innovative aspects of the Hump are that: Similar humps have been installed on

177-412: A curved platform – often a platform gap is present. Usually such platforms will have warning signs, possibly auditory, such as London Underground 's famous phrase " Mind the gap ". There may be moveable gap filler sections within the platform, extending once the train has stopped and retracting after the doors have closed. The New York City Subway employs these at 14th Street–Union Square on

236-505: A guideline for platform safety specifies that for the platforms with train passing speeds between 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph) and 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph), there should be a yellow-line buffer zone of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) and other warning signs. If trains can pass at speeds higher than 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph), the platforms should be inaccessible to passengers unless there are waiting rooms or screened areas to provide protection. The European Union has

295-450: A particular station, and can be installed in a few days. Installing a Harrington Hump is much cheaper than raising the entire length of the platform – to the order of 1/10th of the typical £250,000 cost. The Hump was devised by Network Rail and Cumbria County Council , in conjunction with Pipex Structural Composites, and was installed first at Harrington railway station in December 2008. It

354-422: A potential obstacle when boarding modern commuter trains, workarounds such as a step built into the floor of area-specific trainsets are often employed. Nevertheless, with accessibility becoming a greater concern as Japan's population ages, raising the level of the platform itself (in tandem with other improvements such as elevators and escalators) is seen as the most practical solution. In at least one case, with

413-410: A regulation for platforms that are close to tracks with train passing speeds of 250 kilometres per hour (160 mph) or more should not be accessible to passengers unless there is a lower speed limit for trains that intend to stop at the station or there are barriers to limit access. Platforms usually have some form of warnings or measures to keep passengers away from the tracks. The simplest measure

472-421: A risk for passenger safety. Differences between platform height and train floor height may also make boarding much more difficult, or impossible, for wheelchair -using passengers and people with other mobility impairments, increasing station dwell time as platform or staff are required to deploy ramps to assist boarding. Platform ramps, steps, and platform gap fillers together with hazard warnings such as " mind

531-467: A significant safety problem as the safe distance from the platform edge increases with the speed of the passing train. A study done by the United States Department of Transportation in 1999 found that trains passing station platforms at speeds of 240 kilometres per hour (150 mph) can pose safety concerns to passengers on the platforms who are 2 metres (6.6 ft) away from the edge due to

590-448: A small signal halfway along the platform. Some, such as London Waterloo East , use letters instead of numbers (this is to distinguish the platforms from numbered ones in the adjoining Waterloo main-line station for staff who work at both stations); some, such as Paris-Gare de Lyon , use letters for one group of platforms but numbers for the other. The actual meaning of the word platform depends on country and language. In many countries,

649-429: A station building, often some form of shelter or waiting room is provided, and employee cabins may also be present. The weather protection offered varies greatly, from little more than a roof with open sides, to a closed room with heating or air-conditioning. There may be benches , lighting , ticket counters, drinking fountains , shops, trash boxes, and static timetables or dynamic displays with information about

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708-506: A step of 152 mm (6.0 in) , while the diesel fleet is typically one step (150 to 200 mm or 5.9 to 7.9 in) higher than the platform. Railway platform The world's longest station platform is at Hubballi Junction in India at 1,507 metres (4,944 ft). The Appalachian Trail station or Benson station in the United States, at the other extreme, has a platform which

767-542: A train, usually one designed for wheelchair access. Consequently, the Hump is less suited to platforms served by different configurations of trains, such as at Dalton railway station , where wheelchair accommodation doors are often located in different positions on different trains. The second Hump was installed at St Albans Abbey railway station and the third at Aberdovey railway station . Other stations to receive Humps include Northwich , Flixton , Whaley Bridge , Eccles , Kents Bank and Hadfield . The Hump system won

826-594: A variety of materials such as glass-reinforced polymer , pre-cast concrete or expanded polystrene , depending on the underlying substructure. Most stations have their platforms numbered consecutively from 1; a few stations, including Cardiff Central , Haymarket , King's Cross , Stockport , and Gravesend (in the UK); and Lidcombe, Sydney (Australia), start from 0. At Bristol Temple Meads platforms 3 through to 12 are split along their length with odd numbered platforms facing north and east and even facing south and west, with

885-470: A visually-contrasting color, for the full length of the platform. Ideally platforms should be straight or slightly convex , so that the guard (if any) can see the whole train when preparing to close the doors. Platforms that have great curvature have blind spots that create a safety hazard. Mirrors or closed-circuit cameras may be used in these cases to view the whole platform. Also passenger carriages are straight, so doors will not always open directly onto

944-419: Is claimed that Harrington was chosen as the pilot site because it has the greatest drop from train floor to platform and, as a coastal station, it offered the harshest of environments in which to test the hump. Otherwise known as an "Easy Access Area", Network Rail has conceded that the structure will be known henceforth by its nickname, Harrington Hump . The Hump is positioned to align with a particular door on

1003-500: Is markings near the edge of the platform to demarcate the distance back that passengers should remain. Often a special tiled surface is used as well as a painted line, to help blind people using a walking aid, and help in preventing wheelchairs from rolling too near the platform edge. In the US, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 regulations require a detectable warning strip 24 inches (61 cm) wide, consisting of truncated dome bumps in

1062-410: Is only long enough for a single bench. Among some United States train conductors the word "platform" has entered usage as a verb meaning "to berth at a station", as in the announcement: "The last two cars of this train will not platform at East Rockaway". The most basic form of platform consists of an area at the same level as the track, usually resulting in a fairly large height difference between

1121-608: Is the built height – above top of rail (ATR) – of passenger platforms at stations . A connected term is train floor height , which refers to the ATR height of the floor of rail vehicles. Worldwide, there are many, frequently incompatible, standards for platform heights and train floor heights. Where raised platforms are in use, train widths must also be compatible, in order to avoid both large gaps between platforms and trains and mechanical interference liable to cause equipment damage. Differences in platform height (and platform gap ) can pose

1180-573: Is the norm, lower-level platforms are already raised to this height. Korail adopted 550 mm (21.7 in) high platforms to operate KTX. Typically, older platforms are lower than 500 mm. For metro trains, higher platforms which height after 1,135 mm (44.7 in) are used. Nuriro trains are using mechanical steps to allow both type of platforms. Korail has a long-term plan to change platform standards to higher platforms; both KTX-Eum and EMU-320 are designed to use higher platforms. There are various platform heights for railway lines in

1239-507: The BOStrab standard , with newer metro lines to use low-floor trams which have a usual floor height of 300 to 350 mm (11.8 to 13.8 in) so that platforms are constructed as low as 300 mm in accordance with BOStrab that requires the platform height not to be higher than the floor height. The traditional platforms had a very diverse height as the nationwide railway network is a union of earlier railway operators . Prior to followed by

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1298-707: The DB Regionalbahn Westfalen (see Enschede ). On the London Underground some stations are served by both District line and Piccadilly line trains, and the Piccadilly trains have lower floors. A tram stop is often in the middle of the street; usually it has as a platform a refuge area of a similar height to that of the sidewalk, e.g. 100 mm (4 in), and sometimes has no platform. The latter requires extra care by passengers and other traffic to avoid accidents. Both types of tram stops can be seen in

1357-759: The Dublin and Kingstown Railway were at lower levels, all platforms are now 915mm above rail and all new platforms are being built at that level. Amongst other work, there is an ongoing program of platform renewal. Both of Ireland 's railway companies ( Irish Rail in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland) have had some derogations from EU standards as their mainline rail systems, while connected to each other, are not connected to any other system. The electric DART fleet has carriage floors at 1,067 mm (42.0 in) above top of rail creating

1416-612: The E721 series EMU used on JR East lines in the Tohoku region, the floor of the train itself is lowered to be nearly level to existing 920 mm (36.2 in) platforms. This makes level boarding feasible at many stations (and boarding less of a hassle at stations with the lowest 760 mm (29.9 in) platforms). However, this (along with a different standard of electrification) also makes through service southward to Tokyo impossible, and prevents them from running on certain through lines, such as

1475-623: The London Underground . Between 2010 and 2011, they were provided at all of the Victoria line stations except Pimlico . The Underground humps are of a masonry construction and thus are not Harringtons. The impetus for their installation are the Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 . Railway platform height Railway platform height

1534-800: The North–South Commuter Railway will use the same heavy rail standard at 1,100 mm (43.3 in), while the PNR South Long Haul 's platform height will be the Chinese standard of 1,250 mm (49.2 in). Previously, the Philippine National Railways had lower platforms prior to the 2009 reconstruction of its network. Some stations such as Santa Mesa have its 200 mm (7.9 in) curb height platforms still intact as of 2020, while others such as Naga and EDSA have 760 mm (29.9 in) platforms built during

1593-647: The Philippines . For heavy rail and commuter rail systems such as the LRT Line 2 and the PNR Metro Commuter Line , most stations are generally set at 1,100 mm (43.3 in). For the LRT Line 1 and MRT Line 3 which use light rail vehicles, the platform heights are at 620 mm (24.4 in) and 920 mm (36.2 in), respectively. Future train lines such as the Metro Manila Subway and

1652-912: The Senseki-Tohoku Line , since the Senseki Line portion uses the higher 1,100 mm (43.3 in) platforms (and DC electrification). In contrast to the above standards, the standard gauge Shinkansen (Bullet Train) has, since its original inception, used only 1,250 mm (49.2 in) platforms. However, exceptions from this include the " Mini-Shinkansen " Yamagata Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen lines, which use 1,100 mm (43.3 in) platforms to maintain compatibility with conventional JR trainsets. Most standard gauge non-JR commuter railways, such as Kintetsu Nara Line and Keisei Line , use 1,250 mm (49.2 in) platforms. North Korea 's platforms are standardized at 1,250 mm (49.2 in) only. In there, 1,250 mm (49.2 in)

1711-705: The Singapore MRT and the Hong Kong MTR , and stations on the Jubilee Line Extension in London. Platforms should be sloped upwards slightly towards the platform edge to prevent wheeled objects such as trolleys, prams and wheelchairs from rolling away and into the path of the train. Many platforms have a cavity underneath an overhanging edge so that people who may fall off the platform can seek shelter from incoming trains. In high-speed rail , passing trains are

1770-599: The Tsuen Wan line , Kwun Tong line , Tseung Kwan O line , Island line , and South Island line . All platforms on the East Rail line and Tuen Ma line are 1,066.8 mm (42 in) above rail heads. The light rail system uses a platform height of 910 mm (36 in) above rail level. Trains at Hong Kong West Kowloon railway station travel along the XRL on China's high-speed rail system and so must be compliant with

1829-1102: The 19th century, low platforms were widely used from the 1880s, especially in rural areas, except in the United Kingdom. Over the years, raised platforms have become far more widespread, and are almost universal for high-speed express routes and universal in cities on commuter and rapid transit lines. Raised platforms on narrow gauge railways can prevent track gauge conversion to standard gauge or broad gauge. Buses, trams, trolleys, and railway passenger cars are divided into several typical categories. These are floor heights. The platforms can be much lower, overcome by onboard staircases. Typical Algerian platforms are 550 mm (21.7 in) above rail. The 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ) SGR platforms are two standard heights of 300 mm (11.8 in) and 1,250 mm (49.2 in) above rail heads. The 1,000 mm ( 3 ft  3 + 3 ⁄ 8  in ) meter gauge platforms are 1,100 mm (43.3 in). China Railway platforms are classified into

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1888-611: The European TSI standard the EBO standard requires that new platform construction be at a regular height of 760 mm (29.9 in). The TSI standard of 550 mm (21.7 in) height, historically common in the East, is widely used on regional lines. Only the S-Bahn suburban rail systems had a higher platform height and these are standardized on 960 mm (37.8 in). While older platforms on

1947-813: The Netherlands, 915 mm (36.0 in) for Great Britain, and 915 mm (36.0 in) for Ireland. The proposed 1,520 mm ( 4 ft  11 + 27 ⁄ 32  in ) ( Russian gauge ) railways (e.g. Arctic Railway and Košice–Vienna broad-gauge line ) for Sweden and Norway, 200 mm (7.9 in) and 550 mm (21.7 in) for Poland and Slovakia, and 380 mm (15.0 in) for Germany and Austria. Platforms for Eurotunnel Shuttle are 1,100 mm (43.3 in) above rails. The 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ) European standard gauge Rail Baltica II platforms will be 760 mm (29.9 in) above rails. Belgium has been using mixed type of platform heights (due to

2006-419: The UK rail network is not standardised because, at the time of the construction of the network, different railway companies settled on different platform heights. Platforms sited low (compared to the level of the train carriage floor) present entry and exit problems to mobility-impaired passengers, including wheelchair users. Raising the level of a complete platform is relatively costly and in many instances beyond

2065-505: The aerodynamic effects created by pressure and induced airflow with speeds of 64 kilometres per hour (40 mph) to 95 kilometres per hour (59 mph) depending on the train body aerodynamic designs. Additionally, the airflow can cause debris to be blown out to the waiting passengers. If the passengers stand closer at 1 metre (3.3 ft), the risk increases with airflow that can reach speeds of 79 kilometres per hour (49 mph) to 116 kilometres per hour (72 mph). In United Kingdom,

2124-654: The age of the network, and the different companies running it before 1923). As of 2017 the most common platform heights for small stop places and stations are low platform heights of 280 mm (11.0 in). There is a plan to comply with the European TSI by raising all low platform heights to one of the European Standard Heights. Most stations will by then be equipped with 550 mm platforms, and direct current EMUs dedicated platforms will be upgraded in their final version to 760 mm . Some stations, or stopping points, already having 760 mm platform heights will keep

2183-592: The distinction a matter of historical, rather than practical relevance. Recently, at Japan Railways Group stations in urban centers such as Tokyo and Osaka, whose lines were the earliest to be electrified, 1,100 mm (43.3 in) is the norm and lower-level platforms are generally raised to this height during station improvements or refurbishment. Elsewhere, such as Hokkaido and the Tohoku /Hokuriku region of Honshu, 920 mm (36.2 in) – and even 760 mm (29.9 in) platforms are still commonplace. As this represents

2242-450: The early 2000s. Taiwan high-speed rail platforms are 1,250 mm (49.2 in) above rail. In Taiwan , Taiwan Railways Administration 's platforms were 760 mm (29.9 in) tall and passengers must take two stair steps to enter the train. In 2001, however, the platforms were raised to 960 mm (37.8 in), cutting the steps needed to one. Between 2016 and 2020, platforms were again raised to 1,150 mm (45.3 in), and

2301-465: The eastern regions such as around Mashhad and Zahedan, still equipped low platforms. Israel Railways platforms fall in the range between 760 mm (29.9 in) to 1,060 mm (41.7 in) above top of rail. The Japanese National Railways (JNR) for many years used a triple-standard for its conventional ( Cape gauge ) lines: However, increasing electrification and the phasing-out of locomotive traction in favor of multiple units has made

2360-425: The floor of the train itself lowered to be nearly level to 550 mm (21.7 in) platforms. This makes level boarding feasible at some stations (and boarding less of a hassle at stations with the lowest 200 mm (7.9 in) platforms). The proposed 1,676 mm ( 5 ft 6 in ) Indian gauge Indo-Siberian railways platforms will be 200 mm (7.9 in) above top of rail. In Turkey ,

2419-408: The following categories of "low" 380 mm (15.0 in), "medium" 550 mm (21.7 in), "high" 760 mm (29.9 in) and "ultra high" 1,250 mm (49.2 in) (latter 2 for most new and rebuilt platforms). Areas adjacent to broad gauge countries/regions, such as Xinjiang and Inner-Mongolia, are still equipped with low platforms. Under the concession period since late 2016, platforms on

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2478-657: The gap " are used to reduce risk and facilitate access. Platform height affects the loading gauge (the maximum size of train cars), and must conform to the structure gauge physical clearance specifications for the system. Tracks which are shared between freight and passenger service must have platforms which do not obstruct either type of railroad car . To reduce construction costs, the platforms at stations on many railway systems are of low height, making it necessary for passenger cars to be equipped with external steps or internal stairs allowing passengers access to and from car floor levels. When railways were first introduced in

2537-711: The local MTR network (including the former KCR ), Hong Kong Tramways , and the Hong Kong section of the XRL high-speed line . Platforms on the MTR are 1,250 mm (49.213 in) above the rail for the Tung Chung line and Airport Express , collectively known as the Airport Railway lines. The height of platforms on the Disneyland Resort line and the urban lines are 1,100 mm (43.307 in). The urban lines include

2596-550: The means of Network Rail and local authorities. The impetus for the hump, it is claimed, was a complaint by the chairman of the Copeland Rail Users' Group that low platforms on the Cumbrian Coast Line caused users difficulty in boarding and alighting from trains, made at Allerdale Area Transport Advisory Group, a sub-committee of Cumbria County Council's Local Committee. A suggestion of a partial raising of platforms

2655-400: The next train. There are often loudspeakers as part of a public address (PA) system. The PA system is often used where dynamic timetables or electronic displays are not present. A variety of information is presented, including destinations and times (for all trains, or only the more important long-distance trains), delays, cancellations, platform changes, changes in routes and destinations,

2714-459: The number of carriages in the train and the location of first class or luggage compartments, and supplementary fee or reservation requirements. Some metro stations have platform screen doors between the platforms and the tracks. They provide more safety, and they allow the heating or air conditioning in the station to be separated from the ventilation in the tunnel, thus being more efficient and effective. They have been installed in most stations of

2773-469: The platform and the train floor. This would often not be considered a true platform. The more traditional platform is elevated relative to the track but often lower than the train floor, although ideally they should be at the same level. Occasionally the platform is higher than the train floor, where a train with a low floor serves a station built for trains with a high floor, for example at the Dutch stations of

2832-761: The platform height standard of 1,250 mm (49.213 in) above the rail. There are two standard heights of platforms in India : 200 mm (7.9 in) and 760 mm (29.9 in). There are three standard heights of the platforms, 180 mm (7.1 in) (low), 430 mm (16.9 in) (medium), and 1,000 mm (39.4 in) (high) above rail heads. Most railway stations in Indonesia use low platforms. Iran 's platforms are 380 mm (15.0 in), 550 mm (21.7 in) and 760 mm (29.9 in). Like in China, areas adjacent to broad gauge countries/regions such as

2891-433: The platform must accommodate the loading gauge and conform to the structure gauge of the system. Platform types include the bay platform , side platform (also called through platform), split platform and island platform . A bay platform is one at which the track terminates, i.e. a dead-end or siding . Trains serving a bay platform must reverse in or out. A side platform is the more usual type, alongside tracks where

2950-472: The platforms are 200 mm (7.9 in) above top of rail. As of late 2015, there are three standard heights of platforms, which include: In some urban areas, such as Moscow and St Petersburg , served only by local traffic, use 1,100 mm (43.3 in) platforms for direct-current electric multiple units. Elsewhere, 550 mm (21.7 in) and even 200 mm (7.9 in) platforms are almost commonplace. In some cases, such as VR Sm4 of Finland,

3009-563: The platforms at these heights. In Finland , the current standard platform height is 550 mm (21.7 in). Platforms built to the older standard are 265 mm (10.4 in) above top of rail. The sole exception on the national railway network is the Nikkilä halt which has a platform height of 400 mm (15.8 in). Germany's EBO standard specifies an allowable range between 380 mm (15.0 in) and 960 mm (37.8 in). This does not include light rail systems that follow

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3068-486: The process of switching from platform to track numbers, i.e. the Czech Republic and Poland. In locations where track numbers are used an island platform would be described as one platform with two tracks. Many stations also have numbered tracks which are used only for through traffic and do not have platform access. Some of the station facilities are often located on the platforms. Where the platforms are not adjacent to

3127-529: The southeastern corridor from Shenzhen to Ruili to be 1,250 mm (49.2 in) ATR, whereas the northern-, central-, and western-Chinese platforms to be 380 mm (15.0 in) ATR, are recommended. Most CRH platforms are 1,250 millimetres (49.2 in) above top of rail, with the remainders being 760 millimetres (29.9 in). The proposed 1,524 mm ( 5 ft ) (Russian gauge) Rail North China platforms will be 200 mm (7.9 in) above rails. Hong Kong 's railway network consists of

3186-495: The standard platform height for commuter railways is 1,050 mm (41.3 in) and for mainline & high-speed railways it's 550 mm (21.7 in). The European Union Commission issued a TSI (Technical Specifications for Interoperability) on 30 May 2002 ( 2002/735/EC ) that sets out standard platform heights for passenger steps on high-speed rail. These standard heights are 550 and 760 mm (21.7 and 29.9 in) . There are special cases: 840 mm (33.1 in) for

3245-432: The train arrives from one end and leaves towards the other. An island platform has through platforms on both sides; it may be indented on one or both ends, with bay platforms. To reach an island platform there may be a bridge, a tunnel , or a level crossing . A variant on the side platform is the spanish solution which has platforms on both sides of a single through track. Modern station platforms can be constructed from

3304-463: The tram networks of Melbourne and Toronto . Sometimes a tram stop is served by ordinary trams with rather low floors and metro -like light rail vehicles with higher floors, and the tram stop has a dual-height platform. A railway station may be served by heavy-rail and light-rail vehicles with lower floors and have a dual- height platform, as on the RijnGouweLijn in the Netherlands. In all cases

3363-496: The unnecessary gap on trains were filled in. Old railway platforms are usually less than 500 mm (20 in) in height. New platforms along double tracking projects, red line projects, and metro stations are built at 1,100 mm (43.3 in) height. Bang Bamru railway station is built with both high and low platforms. In Kazakhstan , only Astana Nurly Jol station and Russian Railway's Petropavlovsk station have 550 mm (21.7 in) platforms. Almost everywhere else,

3422-402: The word platform refers to the physical structure, while the place where a train can arrive is referred to as a "track" (e.g. "The train is arriving on Track 5"). In other countries, such as the UK and Ireland, platform refers specifically to the place where the train stops, which means that in such a case island platforms are allocated two separate numbers, one for each side. Some countries are in

3481-418: Was made to parry a Network Rail assertion that remedial work would cost a "six-figure sum" per station. The Harrington Hump is a partial solution to the long-standing problem of user access to railway carriages from relatively low station platforms. The Hump is a pair of ramps and a short flat top, built from a glass-reinforced polymer. It is capable of being designed to meet the width and height requirements of

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