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GEGN8501 Iss 1 PDF
GEGN8501 Iss 1 PDF
GEGN8501 Iss 1 PDF
Platform Stepping
Distances
Synopsis
This Guidance Note is a joint Railtrack
/ HMRI Publication and fully supported
by both organisations.
Authorised by Authorised by
......................................................................... .........................................................................
Roderick Muttram Alan Cooksey
Director HM Deputy Inspector of Railways
Safety & Standards Directorate HMRI
Published by
This document is the property of
Safety & Standards Directorate,
Railtrack PLC. It shall not be
Railtrack PLC,
reproduced in whole or in part without
Floor DP01, Railtrack House,
the written permission of the Controller,
Railway Group Standards, Euston Square
Railtrack PLC. London NW1 2EE
Contents
Section Description Page
Part A
Issue Record 2
Application 2
Health and Safety Responsibilities 2
Supply 2
Part B
1 Introduction 3
2 Objective 3
3 Purpose 3
4 Scope 3
5 Background 3
6 Action to be Taken 4
7 HMRI Approval 6
8 Rolling Stock Approval Body 7
9 Compliance with Railway Group Standards 7
References 8
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Issue One Platform Stepping Distances
Date July 1998
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Part A
Issue Record
This Guidance Note will be updated when necessary by distribution of a
complete replacement.
Application
This Guidance Note sets out the approach to be followed by all Railway Group
Members in order to minimise stepping distances when new Infrastructure or
new trains are introduced, existing infrastructure is reconstructed, a major
refurbishment of rolling stock is carried out or existing rolling stock fleets are re-
deployed.
Supply
Controlled and uncontrolled copies of this Guidance Note may be obtained from
the Industry Safety Liaison Dept, Safety and Standards Directorate, Railtrack
PLC, Railtrack House, DP01, Euston Square, London, NW1 2EE.
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Platform Stepping Distances Issue One
Date July 1998
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Part B
1 Introduction
This Guidance Note has been produced by Railtrack Safety and Standards
Directorate and HM Railway Inspectorate jointly to establish a clear framework
for works to platforms and changes to rolling stock which effect the stepping
distance between platform and vehicle. This Guidance Note is fully supported
by both organisations.
2 Objective
• To establish a railway network with stepping distances between vehicles and
platforms being reduced to the practical minimum throughout.
• To achieve an improvement, particularly in vertical stepping distances at the
earliest opportunity.
3 Purpose
The purpose of this Guidance Note is to set out the framework to be followed by
Railtrack and Train Operating Companies and their suppliers, pending the
publication of revised Railway Group Standards, for the following:
a) All work to new and existing station platforms relating to platform heights
and stepping distances.
4 Scope
The guidance given in this document is applicable to Railtrack, Station
Operators, Train Operators and their suppliers who have a responsibility for
stations or railway vehicles covered by the scope established in clause 4.3 of
Railway Group Standard GA/RT6001 issue 3.
5 Background
There has been a lack of consistent clear direction relating to work on station
platforms.
The HMRI Railway Safety Principles & Guidance recommend that the same
stepping distances as mandated by the Railway Group Standards should not be
exceeded but require that the stepping distances be kept as small as possible.
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The current rolling stock fleet contains vehicles with a wide variety of floor /
stepping board heights. When some of these vehicles are matched with the
standard platform height mandated by the Railway Group Standard an
excessive vertical stepping distance results. This has led in some cases to the
adjustment of platform heights so that the stepping distance to specific trains
falls within the required maximum Railway Group Standard mandated
dimensions.
It has, therefore, been concluded that in order to achieve the long term
objective, a standard platform height of 915mm should be generally mandated
and worked to throughout the network, but there will be some exceptions to this
requirement. Such exceptions must be carefully controlled and managed so as
not to undermine the long term objective.
The following sections set out the actions to be taken by the respective Railway
Group members in each situation.
6 Action to be Taken
6.1 Railtrack (Infrastructure Controller)
6.1.1 Maintenance of track adjacent to platforms
It is essential that when Railtrack carries out any maintenance work to the track
within stations every attempt is made to ensure that the standard platform
height of 915mm above rail level is achieved.
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• When any new platforms are constructed on part of the infrastructure which
is self contained or isolated and calling trains are to be operated by a
dedicated rolling stock, for example the Isle of Wight.
• Where it is possible for existing rolling stock to use platforms normally
dedicated to a particular rolling stock, such as Heathrow Express at
Paddington, the use of non standard heights must be fully justified. (see also
section 9).
Where new platforms are to be built on routes which are predominantly serviced
by existing rolling stock which will give excessive vertical stepping distance to a
standard platform height and it is evident that this situation will exist for a
number of years (in excess of 10) then consideration should be given to
constructing a higher platform, but the design must be such that the platform
height can be altered to comply with the standard at a future date when the
particular rolling stock is removed.
The consideration given above must take into account the implications for other
rolling stock that could be expected to use the platforms.
Where the rolling stock being used and causing a problem is relatively short
compared to the length of the platforms, consideration should be given to
altering only the necessary length of the platform and putting appropriate
stopping arrangements in place.
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7 HMRI Approval to
Work under the Railways
and other Transport
Systems (Approval of
Works, Plant and
Equipment) Regulations
1994
All schemes submitted to the HMRI for approval under the above regulations
will be vetted for compliance with these Guidance Notes by HMRI. Where this
Guidance Note has clearly been followed, HMRI approval will normally be
granted.
Any implementation plan resulting from the requirements of clause 6.2.2 must
accompany the submission.
However, where resulting stepping distances fall outside of the Railway Group
Standard mandated maximum values or are not minimised in accordance with
this Guidance Note a clear justification must be provided as to why compliance
is not reasonable and how the requirements for boarding are to be met.
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8 Rolling Stock
Acceptance Board
All submissions to RSAB will be vetted for compliance with this Guidance Note.
All submissions must clearly state the stepping distances to be provided at
platforms and in particular at a standard straight platform 915mm high. Where
this Guidance Note has clearly been followed RSAB approval will normally be
granted.
Any implementation plan resulting from the requirements of clause 6.2.2 must
accompany the submission.
However, where resulting stepping distances fall outside the Railway Group
Standard mandated maximum values, or are not minimised in accordance with
this Guidance Note, a clear justification must be provided as to why compliance
is not reasonable and how the requirements for boarding are to be met.
9 Compliance with
Railway Group
Standards
It must be noted that Railway Group Standards are mandatory on all members
of the Railway Group. Any requirements to be developed outside the
prescriptive requirements of Railway Group Standards must be covered by an
approved non-compliance or derogation as set out in Railway Group Standard
GA/RT6001 and GA/RT6006. Submissions for non-compliance to the existing
Railway Group Standards as a result of following this Guidance Note will
normally be accepted but must be accompanied by a full justification as to why
the mandatory requirements of the Railway Group Standard cannot be complied
with.
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References
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