Shawn Ryu
Conductor
Having rode KTX, which uses 550mm platform, is it possible for CAHSR to use low level platform for the HSR to be interchangable with Caltrain?
I thought it meant width. High level platforms are 48" or 4 feet high. That's over 1 meter high, or 1,000 mm.How does the platform height affect the ability to walk on it?
Except when it won't. CAHSR envisions a "blended system" with HSR trains sharing the existing Caltrain ROW from San Francisco to Gilroy (or at least San Jose) with stops in Milbrae and Palo Alto. Both stations have low level platforms, so either CAHSR will have to be low-level compatible or Caltrain will have to get new rolling stock that allows level boarding, and increase heights of all 23 stations along the route.CAHSR wouldn't be interchangeable in the first place. Being HSR it'll have it's own dedicated ROW.
Yea, to save money I presume. Makes sense. Increase Caltrain speed too.I believe the planning for CAHSR assumes the use of Caltrain and Metrolink corridors in the SF and LA urbanized areas and new, dedicated ROW in between.
What about TGV? Those serve 550MM height platforms.This could be done with a Talgo design.
Superliners have doors that are 18" high - above the rail I mean.Whats the height for Superliners? I figure platforms made to accomodate them and similar trains are common in Cali.
You sure that's right? cause it would mean that the majority of the Midwest Amtrak stations (including CUS) are not up to standards. Most are low level platforms with high-level cars (horizons) using them, you have to climb the steps (5 or 6 I think) to board, or request a lift. All of the non-electric Metra stations are the same.The issue is not dumb Americans, but Americans with Disabilities Act, which says that the gap shall not exceed 3 inches horizontally and 5/8 inches vertically. The use of bridge plates and such is firmly discouraged. Use of bridge plates really increases station dwell time. Since standing still really works against high average speeds, you really want to avoid needing to do that.
But those stations get around it by having portable wheelchair lifts (for Amtrak), or lifts built into the cars (on Metra). While I don't know the exact regulations, I'd guess that what George is saying is the requirement for level boarding (i.e. no need for lift/ramp).You sure that's right? cause it would mean that the majority of the Midwest Amtrak stations (including CUS) are not up to standards. Most are low level platforms with high-level cars (horizons) using them, you have to climb the steps (5 or 6 I think) to board, or request a lift. All of the non-electric Metra stations are the same.The issue is not dumb Americans, but Americans with Disabilities Act, which says that the gap shall not exceed 3 inches horizontally and 5/8 inches vertically. The use of bridge plates and such is firmly discouraged. Use of bridge plates really increases station dwell time. Since standing still really works against high average speeds, you really want to avoid needing to do that.
peter
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