Platforms, track & trains

Transcription

1 Platforms, track & trains Neil Gofton March 2018 Image: Extract from 'Requirements for Passenger Lines and Recommendations for Goods Lines, Ministry of Transport, 1950

2 Topics to cover Platform X&Y Context Standards Stepping Vs Gauging Level access

3 Key Risk Area The Platform-Train Interface Source: SRM v8

4 Key Risk Area The Platform-Train Interface Source: SRM v8

5 Legacy Infrastructure track layout Curved platforms Significant proportion, many in built up areas Conflict between required clearance at vehicle ends / centre stepping distance at range of door positions

6 Legacy Infrastructure platform dimensions Current target position: 915mm height; 730mm offset but: Most existing platforms not at this position & no requirement to modify them No budget for major platform works & out of scope of other station works 30% in range for height, 22% in range for offset but only 7% in range for both Low High Tight 30% 22% Wide

7 Legacy Infrastructure Mixed traffic Different types of operation at / past the same platform: Suburban Mostly stopping trains Generally 1/3 and 2/3 door positions Regional Some stopping trains Range of door positions Inter-city Speed of pass through Freight Range of speeds Container trains Need to trade off gauge clearance against stepping distance

8 Topics to cover Platform X&Y Context Standards Stepping Vs Gauging Level access

9 Why does industry need standards? To manage interfaces Eg track gauge and wheel spacing (Britain s Gauge Act of 1846 required standard gauge ) To achieve compatibility Eg platform and train footsteps To be cost effective Avoid repeating development work To manage safety Use of best practice Avoid repeat of previous accidents Avoid known errors

10 Railway standardisation pyramid Interoperability Directive Essential Requirements Level of detail Mandatory Rules TSIs + NTRs Standards directly quoted in TSIs Official standards Other public standards and documents eg RGS eg ENs Mandatory Specified in TSIs / NTRs Voluntary Specification chosen by applicant Company standards e.g. NR standards

11 Current Requirements Platform position Infrastructure TSI Target platform heights are 550mm or 760mm Measured from the running surface of the rails Target offset according to EN (Structure Gauges) GB Specific Cases for Platform height, for Platform offset Refers to National rules GIRT7016 for Platform height (915mm) Gauging RGS for Platform offset (generally 730mm) Platform Rail

12 Tolerances on platform height (1) Nominal platform height is 915 mm from running surface of rail Current tolerance -25 mm / +0 mm Range 890 mm to 915 mm Can present problems for projects in building to these tolerances Leads to lower platforms in practice with larger stepping distance Tolerance of +10 mm might assist in achieving 915 mm But potential issues for gauging of rolling stock Many current platforms are not at this height Cross-industry aim to improve consistency of platform position Workshop held May 2016 with cross industry representation Considered various options Platform Agreed proposal, now included in revised draft of GIRT7016 for consultation Rail

13 Tolerance on platform height (2) Proposal: Design platform height 915 mm, -15 mm / +0 mm (was -25 mm / +0 mm) Additional +10 mm tolerance available for build / maintenance (NOT design) Nominal height for stepping distance assessment still 915 mm Implications for gauge clearance: Normal clearances from platforms will be >40 mm (was 50 mm) Reduced clearances from platform will be 15 to 40 mm (was 25 to 50 mm) Special reduced clearances from platforms will be <15 mm (was 25 mm) Implications for certain legacy rolling stock types: Additional tolerance of -10 mm, giving minimum height 890 mm, can be used where defined legacy rolling stock calls / passes in order to achieve positive clearance Previous Proposed 915 Design tolerance Build tolerance Legacy stock

14 Tolerance on platform height (3) Existing Proposed 925mm 915mm Construct Design and construct Design 900mm 890mm Design and construct for defined legacy vehicles Build tolerance Legacy stock Design tolerance

15 Clarification of terminology Reference (design) position of the track Maintained position of the track Where the track should be Establishing X&Y dimensions Effective position of the track Where the track could be during a maintenance cycle Clearance assessment

16 Track tolerances and platform position Platforms should be located relative to a reference or design track position The tolerances on the platform position are relative to this datum The track will move during the maintenance cycle This may mean the platform position is outside the design / installation tolerance relative to the ACTUAL track position Need to be clear what is the datum (or reference) track position if making measurements of platform position 730 to to Running edge Track C/L

17 Under platform recess Current requirement Recess with depth of 300 mm (from coper edge) and height of 480 mm (from rail running surface) Research project T1062 investigated the continued usefulness of the under platform recess and the appropriate dimensions Concluded that recess continues to have value, suggested that deeper recess would be even more useful, depending on under-body shape of rolling stock Confirmed height requirements Proposal that new platforms have 400 mm recess depth (height still 480 mm) 300 mm width remains for existing platforms 480 mm 400 mm

18 Changing Standards Standards need to evolve in response to Changing technology Improved understanding Identification of errors TSIs are reviewed by EURA ENs are reviewed by CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, RGS etc are reviewed every 5 years with industry consultation Errors or requests for change can be identified by anyone using a standard: Projects, NoBos, DeBos etc Deviations are useful indicators of need for change

19 What happens when we review standards? Legislation Yes Fit for purpose? R&D Output Standard Published 12 month and 5 year reviews No Industry Feedback Deviations Industry comments addressed Industry consultation Re-draft updating requirements

20 Topics to cover Platform X&Y Context Standards Stepping Vs Gauging Level access

21 Current Requirements stepping distances Requirement for position of vehicle footstep relative to standard platform position Not actual platform positions on route PRM TSI Includes step down into train Does not include oversail step GB Specific Case Refers to National rules as an option Includes oversail step Does not include step down into train Either space is permitted 230mm RGS (& GB Specific Case) PRM TSI (Table 25) Radius 350mm 50mm 160mm 200mm 275mm

22 Trade-off between gauge clearance and stepping distance For an infrastructure project (track or platform) the requirement is the platform position (height and offset): The stepping distance is of interest but is not the requirement Stepping distance is a requirement for the rolling stock Managing the resulting stepping distance at a given platform is a joint responsibility of train operator(s) & station operator Rolling stock (and the stepping) may change.

23 Trade-off between gauge clearance and stepping distance Positive clearance is a requirement, normal clearances are not Always consider use of less than normal clearances to improve stepping Always review track fixity: low track fixity may not be appropriate in station areas Consider what vehicles are actually intended to run and do not gauge for those that don t (and never will) run (eg Eurostar, ) Be prepared to challenge assumptions!

24 Topics to cover Platform X&Y Context Standards Stepping Vs Gauging Level access

25 Possible platform positions Current Footstep positions Possible platform positions Height 1115 Height 1050 Height 1000 Height 945 Target platform position Height 915, offset 730

26 Possible platform positions Current Footstep positions Possible platform positions Height 1115, offset 900 Height 1050, offset 880 Height 1000, offset 880 Height 945, offset 850 Target platform position Height 915, offset 730 Higher platform gives smaller vertical step but larger horizontal gap Conclude that 915mm remains the appropriate target platform height

27 Current requirements level access PRM TSI: no boarding aid needed if 75mm lateral & 50mm vertical But is this level? Is this a trip hazard? Is it better with a gap filler? Vestibule floor Down <50mm Up <50mm 50mm Footstep Platform coper 50mm Gap <75mm Gap filler

28 Some remaining questions What is the optimum PTI for different passenger groups? Adults, children, buggies, luggage, Wheelchairs need level access But what is level? How do we balance a (horizontal) gap with a (vertical) step A small step can be a trip hazard A large step is an obstacle A moderate step is normal A gap is more disturbing? How do we get more consistency Platform positions Footstep and door positions

29 Final thoughts.. Work to date indicates that 915mm remains the target platform height For the GB mixed traffic railway with current vehicle designs Are go-anywhere vehicles appropriate or should we revert to more tailored designs (with provision for mid-life changes)? How do we fund modifications to the many existing platforms that are not at standard height / offset? There are about 2500 stations and 6000 platforms on the network What about vehicle floor / step height Reduce floor height on new fleets to match the platforms? What about gap fillers / deployable steps & ramps? Merseytravel New trains for Merseyrail

30 Thank You