Platform screen doors

Platform screen doors and platform edge doors at train or subway stations screen the platform from the train. They are a relatively new addition to many metro systems around the world, with some platform doors later added to the system rather than installed with the metro system itself. They are widely used in Asian and European metro systems. Cities which deploy platform screen doors in their metro systems include Tokyo, Kyoto, Seoul, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Copenhagen, Paris, and St. Petersburg.

Door types

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, platform screen doors are full height, total barriers between the station floor and ceiling, while platform edge doors are full height, but do not reach the ceiling and thus do not create a total barrier.

These doors help:
*Prevent suicides and murders by pushing.
*Reduce the risk of accidents, especially from service trains passing through the station at high speeds.
*Improve climate control within the station (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are more effective when the station is physically isolated from the tunnel).
*Security - access to the tracks and tunnels is restricted.
*Costs - eliminates the need for motormen or conductors when used in conjunction with Automatic Train Operation, thereby reducing manpower costs.
*Prevents littering

Usage

ingapore

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) was the first rapid transit system in the world to incorporate platform screen doors in its stations in 1987. [http://www.platformscreendoors.com/psd/projects/massrapid.php Westinghouse Platform Screen Doors - Completed Projects] Full height platform screen doors are installed at all existing underground MRT stations in Singapore and all future underground MRT stations. Half height platform screen doors will be retrofitted into all existing elevated MRT stations by 2012 (starting with three elevated MRT stations by 2009), as well as all future elevated MRT stations.

There are two series of the full height platform screen doors in use. The first series was installed at all underground stations along the North South Line and the East West Line from 1987 to the completion of the initial system in 1990. The second series of platform screen doors sporting a sleeker design, producing less sound when the doors were opened and closed, and incorporating more glass were installed in the Changi Airport MRT Station which opened in 2002. All stations in the fully-underground North East Line, which opened in 2003, also sport these new doors. The upcoming MRT Line, the Circle Line will also feature second-generation platform screen doors on all of its stations.

Considered a novelty at the time of its installation, it was introduced primarily to minimise hefty air-conditioning costs, especially since elevated stations are not air-conditioned, and hence are much more economical to run in comparison. Since then the safety aspects of these doors have become more important, as highlighted by a series of high profile incidents where individuals were injured or killed by oncoming trains since the year 2002, all occurring on elevated stations where no screen doors exist. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) reports that there have been more than 220 cases of commuters trespassing on the tracks between 1991 and 15 September 2004, of which 87 percent were deliberate acts of trespass. Nine fatalities were recorded during this period, of which only one was an accident. Since September 2004 there have been six fatalities occurring on elevated MRT and LRT stations.

Hong Kong

In 1998, the Tung Chung Line and Airport Express saw the earliest operations of platform screen doors in Hong Kong.In 2000, the MTR Corporation began a six year programme to add 2,960 pairs of platform screen doors at 30 underground MTR stations on the Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, and Island Line. This was the world's first railway to retrofit Platform Screen Doors on a transit system already in operation. The project was completed in October 2005. [cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200501/05/0105194.htm|title=LCQ16:Retrofitting of PSDs at MTR stations to be completed by 2006|publisher=HKSAR Government Information Centre|date=2005-01-05|accessdate=2007-06-17] Platform screen doors are now operated in 51 stations. The world's longest platform screen doors are located in East Tsim Sha Tsui station.

China

A number of Chinese cities have started installing platform screen doors. Systems such as Guangzhou Metro and Shenzhen Metro have adapted the platform screen doors while Shanghai Metro and Beijing Metro have begun installing the doors at most stations.

United Kingdom

The Jubilee Line extension project saw platform screen doors installed on its new stations. They were designed primarily to reduce the movement of air caused by the trains as they pass through the tunnels. They were also built as a barrier to prevent falling or jumping onto the tracks.

United States

In New York City, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey utilizes full height platform screen doors at all of its Airtrain JFK stations. Several planned stations in the New York Subway may possibly feature platform screen doors. This includes the 7 extension [ [http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=73389 MTA Plans To Install Platform Doors On 7 Line Extension] , NY1, 8 September 2007] , and the Second Avenue Subway.Fact|date=April 2008

Automated people-mover systems at numerous American airports also make use of platform screen doors.

Accidents

On 15 July,2007 in Shanghai, platform-edge doors led to a fatal accident. A man tried to force his way onto a crowded train at the station for the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, but failed. When the doors closed, he was trapped between the platform doors and the train, leading to his death. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/16/asia/AS-GEN-China-Subway-Accident.php Man caught between subway train and safety doors dies in Shanghai - International Herald Tribune ] ]

See also

* Automatic platform gate

References

External links

* [http://www.platformscreendoors.com/ Westinghouse website on PSDs] - Includes video of doors in action, pictures, diagrams, and other info.
* [http://mic-ro.com/metro/platform-screen-doors.html Platform screen doors] Metro Bits