Railway platform height


Railway platform height is the built height – above top of rail – 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 platform and trains and mechanical interference liable to cause equipment damage.
Differences in platform height can pose a risk for passenger safety. Platform ramps, steps, and platform gap fillers together with hazard warnings such as "mind the gap" are used to reduce risk and facilitate access. Platform height affects the loading gauge, 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 the 19th century, low platforms were widely used, 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 in cities on commuter and rapid transit lines.

Height categories

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.

Africa

Algeria

Typical Algerian platforms are above rail.

Asia

China

platforms are classified into the following categories of "low", "medium", "high" and "ultra high" . 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 the southeastern corridor from Shenzhen to Ruili to be ATR, whereas the northern-, central-, and western-Chinese platforms to be ATR, are recommended.
Most CRH platforms are above top of rail, with the remainders being.
The proposed Russian gauge Rail North China platforms will be above rails.

Hong Kong

MTR network

Platforms on the MTR are above the rail for the Tung Chung Line and Airport Express, collectively known as the Airport Railway. The height of those on other lines built by MTR is .

Pre-KCR network

platforms are high. Since all the former KCR lines excluding light rail are built to the same specs, the platform height on the West Rail Line, Ma On Shan Line, as well as the MTR-built Kowloon Southern Link and Sha Tin to Central Link is also 3 feet 6 inches high.

XRL network

Platforms at Hong Kong West Kowloon railway station are above the rail, to adopt the standard of High-speed rail in China.

India

There are two standard heights of the platforms, and above rail heads.

Iran

Iranian platforms are, and. Like in China, areas adjacent to broad gauge countries/regions such as the eastern regions such as around Mashhad and Zahedan, still equipped low platforms.

Japan

The Japanese National Railways for many years used a triple-standard for its conventional lines:
However, increasing electrification and the phasing-out of locomotive traction in favor of multiple units has made 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, 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, – and even platforms are still commonplace. As this represents 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 is seen as the most practical solution.
In at least one case, with 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 platforms. This makes level boarding feasible at many stations. However, this also makes through service southward to Tokyo impossible, and prevents them from running on certain through lines, such as the Senseki-Tohoku Line, since the Senseki Line portion uses the higher platforms.
In contrast to the above standards, the standard gauge Shinkansen has, since its original inception, used only platforms. However, exceptions from this include the "Mini-Shinkansen" Yamagata Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen lines, which use platforms to maintain compatibility with conventional JR trainsets.
Most standard gauge non-JR commuter railways, such as Kintetsu Nara Line and Keisei Line, use platforms.

North Korea

North Korean platforms are standardized at only. In there, is the norm, lower-level platforms are already raised to this height.

South Korea

adopted high platforms to operate KTX. Typically, older platforms are lower than 500 mm. For metro trains, higher platforms which height after 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 EMU-250 and EMU-300 are designed to use higher platforms.

Thailand

Old railway platforms are usually less than 500mm in height. New platforms along double tracking projects, red line projects, and metro stations are built at 1100mm height.

Eurasia

Russia

There are two standard heights of platforms in Russia; they are above rail heads. high platforms are gradually changing to platform height. platforms are used primarily on lines with either small passenger flow or using double-decker trains.
In 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 platforms for direct-current electric multiple units.
Elsewhere, - and even platforms are almost commonplace. In some cases, such as VR Sm4 of Finland, the floor of the train itself lowered to be nearly level to platforms. This makes level boarding feasible at some stations.
The proposed Indian gauge Indo-Siberian railways platforms will be above rails.

Turkey

In Turkey, the standard platform height for commuter railways is and for mainline & high-speed railways it's. But most of the platforms throughout the network are old and thus out of standard.

Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, only Astana Nurly Jol station and Russian Railway's Petropavlovsk station have platforms. Almost everywhere else, the platforms are above the rails.

Europe

Multi-country

European Union

The European Union Commission issued a TSI on 30 May 2002 that sets out standard platform heights for passenger steps on high-speed rail. These standard heights are . The for most member states, for Great Britain / Netherlands / Spain / Portugal, and for Ireland / Northern Ireland.

Broad-gauge railways

The proposed railways and the proposed railways will be for Sweden and Norway, and for Poland and Slovakia, and for Germany and Austria.

Channel Tunnel

Platforms for Eurotunnel Shuttle are above rails.

Rail Baltica

The European standard gauge Rail Baltica II platforms will be above rails.

Belgium

Belgium has been using mixed type of platform heights. As of 2017 the most common platform heights for small stop places and stations are low platform heights of.
There is nevertheless 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 platforms, and direct current EMUs dedicated platforms will be upgraded in their final version to. Some stations, or stopping points, already having platform heights will keep the platforms at these heights.

Finland

In Finland, platforms above rail for the southern area, and platforms above rail for the northern area. The Finnish bi-level railcars have bottom steps above rail and entrance doors above bottom step, which mean clearance for platforms and vertical gap for platforms.

Germany

Germany's EBO standard specifies an allowable range of to maximal . This would not include light rail systems that follow the BOStrab standard with newer metro lines to use low-floor trams which have a usual floor height of 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 the European TSI standard the EBO standard requires that new platform construction be at a regular height of . The TSI standard of 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.

Ireland

While older platforms on 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 Irish railway companies 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 above top of rail creating a step of , while the diesel fleet is typically one step higher than the platform.
On Dublin's Luas tram system, platforms are approximately above rail. Tram floors are at the same height, but have internal steps over the bogies.

Luxembourg

The platforms for the Namur-Luxembourg line. The remainder of the network, the platforms are above rails.

Netherlands

European Commission decision 2002/735/EC which concerns trans-European interoperability for high-speed rail specifies that rolling stock be built for operational suitability platform height of . Dutch infrastructure maintainer ProRail has committed to upgrading all stations to platform height.

Poland

Typical Polish platform is high. In some urban/suburban areas platforms used by local traffic are lower or higher. All newly built platforms are 760 mm high.

Spain

While older Spanish platforms are lower than the rest of Europe, many platforms are now above rail. Following track gauge conversion from Iberian gauge to standard gauge, platforms to be raised to for new regional trainsets.

Sweden

Sweden has generally platforms for mainline trains. Stockholm Commuter Rail has almost always its own platforms at height which allows stepless trains of type X60. The Arlanda Express service has platform height with floor at platform level. They have their own platforms and trains, which are incompatible with mainline platforms and trains, even if the Arlanda Express goes on a mainline. The stations Sundbyberg and Knivsta have one platform each used by both commuter trains and regional mainline trains, which can cause uncomfortable steps, but is accepted. Sundbyberg has 730 mm and Knivsta has around 500 mm. Stockholm Central station has after the commuter trains moved to the "City" station, two high 730 mm platforms, now used for mainline trains. The Stockholm Metro and Saltsjöbanan have, while tramways in general have a very low platform, often also used by buses which must allow boarding from places without platform.

United Kingdom

The standard height for platforms is with a margin of. On the Heathrow Express the platform height is specified at .
High Speed 2 is being built with a platform height of 1,115 mm, which does not conform to the European Union technical standards for interoperability for high-speed rail. This is to provide true step free access to trains at the new HS2 stations, which is not possible using European Standards or UK standard heights. HS2 trains will operate outside of the HS2 line using existing infrastructure, which will not be step free. High Speed 1 has a platform height of on its international platforms.

North America

Canada

Inter-city trains

In Canada, only Montreal Central Station, Quebec's Gare du Palais and Ottawa station have high level platforms at above top of rail. Almost everywhere else in the Via Rail network, the platforms are above the rail.
Current GO Transit owned infrastructure provides a platform height of 8 inches. Canadian National & Canadian Pacific owned infrastructure height is lower

Metro and light rail

The Montreal Metro, the Toronto subway and Scarborough Rapid Transit, Union Pearson Express, Trillium Line, Vancouver Skytrain, Calgary C-Train, Edmonton Light Rail Transit, and ION Light Rail have high level platforms.
On the Toronto streetcar system, most stops are in mixed traffic accessed from the road surface, without raised platforms. On streetcar lines that have been upgraded to LRTs in central lane reservations, and at isolated points elsewhere in the system, island medians in the roadway provide a raised platform. Roncesvalles Avenue has rebuilt to include raised bump-out platforms from the sidewalk, and a similar treatment is planned for King Street through downtown, following the success of the King Street Pilot. Passengers previously used stairs inside the older streetcars, which have since been replaced the Flexity Outlook series which is low floor and handicapped accessible. However, the raised platforms that do exist still do not provide level boarding, necessitating a wheelchair ramp for customers with wheeled mobility aids.

United States

New and substantially renovated stations in the United States must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires level boarding. Most intercity and commuter rail systems use either high platforms level with car floors or low platforms, while metro and light rail systems use a range of platform heights.

Intercity and commuter rail

Most commuter rail systems in the northeastern United States have standardized on high platforms. This height was introduced in the 1960s on the Long Island Rail Road with the M1 railcars. MBTA Commuter Rail, CTrail, Long Island Rail Road, Metro North Railroad, NJ Transit, and SEPTA Regional Rail all use this height for new and renovated stations, though low platforms remain at some older stations. Outside the Northeast, Metra Electric District, RTD, WES Commuter Rail, and SMART also use 48-inch platforms. MARC has high-level platforms at most Penn Line stations; low platforms are used on the Camden Line and Brunswick Line due to freight clearances, except at stations with passing tracks.
Amtrak intercity service uses high-level platforms on the Northeast Corridor, Keystone Corridor, Empire Corridor, and New Haven–Springfield Line; some stations on the lines have not been retrofitted with high platforms. High-level platforms are also present at a small number of stations on other lines, including Worcester, Roanoke, Raleigh, and several Downeaster stations. Virgin Trains USA service in Florida also uses high level platforms.
At some stations, a desired high-level platform is impractical due to wide freight trains or other practicalities. At these locations, mini-high platforms are often used for accessibility. Mini-high platforms have a short length of high platform, with an accessible ramp to the longer low platform. The platform edge is usually hinged so that it can be flipped out of the way of passing freights.
Most other US commuter rail systems and other Amtrak stations have low-level platforms to accommodate freight service, with mini-high platforms or portable lifts to reach the -high floors of bilevel railcars. Coaster uses platforms. Once electrified, new Caltrain trains will be equipped for both platform heights in anticipation of sharing facilities with California High-Speed Rail trains.

Metro and light rail

Platform heights of metro systems vary by system and even by line: on the MBTA subway system, the Blue Line platforms are at above top of rail, Orange Line platforms at and Red Line platforms at. Bay Area Rapid Transit stations have platform heights of.
Most light rail systems have platforms around ATR, allowing level boarding on low-floor light rail vehicles. Most new systems are built to this standard, and some older systems like VTA light rail have been converted. Several systems including MetroLink use higher platforms with level boarding. Several older light rail systems have high-floor vehicles but low platforms, with mini-high platforms or lifts for accessibility. Some like the MBTA Green Line are being converted to low-floor rolling stock, while some like Baltimore Light Rail have permanent mini-high platforms. Muni Metro has high platforms in the subway and some surface stops, and mini-high platforms at other surface stops; the vehicles have movable steps to serve both high and low platforms.

Oceania

Australia

The majority of railway systems in Australia use high level platforms with a platform height a small distance below the train floor level. Exception to this include Queensland who have narrow gauge trains and lower platforms, and South Australia who have trains fitted with low level steps to enable the use of low level platforms.
In New South Wales, by 2000, the platform step had been allowed to grow to a maximum of about, which was uncomfortably large. For Sydney's 2000 Olympics, new and altered platforms were designed to match the Tangara trains, which are wide, leaving a platform gap of about and a step height close to zero. This has become the standard for all subsequent platforms and trains in NSW.

Metro and light rail

The tramway network in Melbourne have some low level platforms and low floor vehicles, but most trams have steps and are boarded from the road. The Adelaide Tram line has low platforms at almost all stops and operates almost entirely with low-floor trams which also have retractable ramps for street boarding where required by persons unable to step up. The and Sydney light rail networks have low floor trams and platforms at all stops.