LITERATURE REVIEW OF RAILWAY STATION

INTRODUCTION
 Railway stations serve as vital transportation hubs where
passengers embark on journeys and goods are
transported.
 They have evolved from basic structures to architectural
marvels, reflecting cultural and historical diversity.
 Railway stations often symbolize civic pride and identity,
serving as iconic landmarks in cities around the world.
 Beyond transportation, they are vibrant centers of
activity, fostering human interaction and diversity.
 As we embrace technological advancements and
sustainability initiatives, railway stations continue to
evolve to meet the needs of modern society.
 BACKGROUND
• Emerged during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.
• Initially simple platforms for passenger boarding.
• Expanded alongside railway networks, leading to standardized
designs.
• Victorian era saw grand architectural designs.
• Played a key role in urbanization and economic development.
• Experienced technological advancements such as electrification and
automation.
• Faced decline with the rise of automobiles and air travel.
• Experiencing a revival with renewed interest in rail travel.
• Modern challenges include overcrowding and sustainability
concerns.
ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN ELEMTS

• Grand Entrances: Impressive facades or entrance halls welcome passengers.

• Vaulted Ceilings: Lofty ceilings create a sense of spaciousness and grandeur.
• Platforms: Spaces for passengers to embark and disembark from trains.
• Concourse Areas: Central gathering spaces connecting facilities like ticket counters and
waiting areas.
• Historic Details: Ornate moldings, decorative friezes, and intricate ironwork showcase
the station's history.
• Clock Towers: Functional and decorative structures serving as focal points within the
station.
• Canopies: Large roofs or canopies provide shelter for passengers on platforms.
• Modern Amenities: Digital displays, Wi-Fi, and climate control enhance the passenger
experience.
• Accessibility Features: Ramps, elevators, and tactile paving ensure accessibility for all
passengers.
• Integration with Surroundings: Designs that harmonize with local architectural styles
and landscape features.
 FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS
The functional areas of railway stations comprise the following areas
(Kandee, 2004) as shown in Figure

 Core Area: Focus on processing passengers like

Ticketing, Information, Waiting and
Restrooms.

 Transition Area: Connect transit facilities in the

core areas to the transportation modes like
Telephones and Commercial spaces.

 Peripheral Area: Support circulation outside

the main building like platforms, tracks and
vehicle service spaces. It is further divided into
two parts i.e. City- side peripheral area and
Track-side peripheral area.

 Administrative areas: Control both traffic and

station management
 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS

• Meeting Points:
– Railway stations serve as bustling hubs for diverse communities to converge and
interact.
– They foster social connections among travelers, commuters, and locals.
• Cultural Crossroads:
– Located in city centers, railway stations host cultural events, exhibitions, and
festivals.
– They celebrate local heritage and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the area.
• Gateway to Exploration:
– Railway stations evoke anticipation and excitement as travelers embark on
journeys to new destinations.
– They symbolize the spirit of adventure and discovery.
• Historical Landmarks:
– Many railway stations are architectural marvels with historical significance.
– They serve as iconic landmarks that preserve the heritage of the past.
• Urban Identity:
– Railway stations shape the identity of cities and towns, symbolizing progress and
connectivity.
– They are featured prominently in literature, art, and popular culture.
• Economic Centers:
– Railway stations drive economic growth by attracting businesses and stimulating
activity in surrounding areas.
– They create employment opportunities and support local economies.
• Transportation Accessibility:
– Railway stations provide accessible transportation options, promoting social inclusion.
– They connect rural communities to urban centers and essential services.
• Multicultural Spaces:
– Railway stations are hubs of diversity, bringing together people from various regions
and cultures.
– They promote tolerance, understanding, and acceptance among different communities.
 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
• Emissions Reduction: Trains emit fewer greenhouse gases per passenger-
mile compared to cars or airplanes.
• Energy Efficiency: Stations use energy-efficient lighting, heating, and
cooling systems to minimize energy consumption.
• Sustainable Design: Modern stations incorporate green features like green
roofs and rainwater harvesting systems.
• Public Transportation Access: Promotes the use of public transit, reducing
reliance on cars and lowering carbon emissions.
• Land Use Efficiency: Central station locations encourage denser
development, preserving natural habitats and agricultural lands.
• Noise and Air Quality: Measures like noise barriers and emission controls
minimize environmental impact on surrounding areas.
• Waste Management: Stations implement waste reduction and recycling
initiatives to minimize environmental footprint.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Efforts to enhance biodiversity through
landscaping and habitat restoration contribute to environmental sustainability.
 LAYOUT

WAY SIDE STATION

These type of stations are located on running lines. These allow faster train to
overtake slower train. For this, loop line and siding are provided. Way-side
stations are of three types-

• Halt Station: A halt is the simplest station where trains can stop on a railway
line. A halt usually has only a rail level platform with a name board at either
end.
• b) Flag Station: Aflag station (Fig. 26.5) is more important as a stop- over
for trains than a halt and is provided with a station building and staff.
• Cross Station: A flag station has arrangements for dealing with traffic but none for
controlling the movement of the trains, a crossing station has arrangements for
controlling the movement of trains on block sections. It facilitate the crossing of
trains going in opposite directions so that there may be a more rapid movement of
trains.
TERMINAL STATION
The dead end of incoming track or the station at which railway line ends or
terminate,is called terminal station The trains can enter and leave the station in only
one direction. In other words, the track ends in the other direction. A train has to
leave in the same direction as it entered.

CENTRAL STATION
A Central is a busiest and most important station in a city, which has multiple
stations. It deals with a large number of arrivals and departures. These may be the
oldest stations, so they are named as central. It is not necessary to have a Central if
a city has multiple stations.

JUCTION STATION:
In this type of stations, lines from three or more directions meet. The junction has
minimum of one main line & one branch line. If there are at least 3 different routes
coming in and going out of a station, then it is called a Junction. In simpler words,
trains entering the station should have at least 2 different routes .
PLATFORM
• A railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a railway
station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight
from trains or trams. Almost all rail stations have some form of platform, with
larger stations having multiple platforms.
• A train has 24 coach each of length 22.5 M per coach with 22M engine at
each end. So Indian Railways has recommended the Platform of 584M + 4.5
M extra
• The loop has a length of 750M
• Minimum width of station is 2.64 M from any fixed obstruction.
• A 1.725 m clear passage for customers circulating along the platform length,
and a 0.13 m buffer zone along the length of the obstruction.
• Platform must have a demarcation line,1.8 m wide from edge surface.
Platform capacity: 24 coaches x 75 persons/coach x 2 = 2,304 Minimum
exits; 100m maximum travel, 600m platform 4 Platform is classified in three
categories based on level: - High Level: 760 mm above Rail level (840mm
above Rail Level in case of Suburban stations) Low Level 455 mm above Rail
Level - Rail Level At Rail level
TYPES OF PLAT FORM

BAY PLATFORM
• A bay platform is one at which the track terminates, i.e. a dead-end or siding. Trains serving
a bay platform must reverse in and out.

ISLAND PLATFORM
• An island platform also called as center platform is a
• station layout arrangement where single platform is positioned between two tracks within a
railway station, tram stop or transit way interchange. Island platforms are popular on twin-
track routes and can provide for services in both directions from a single platform requiring
only one set of supporting services (toilets, ticket offices, kiosks.

SIDE PLATFORM
A side platform is a platform positioned to the side of a pair of tracks at a railway
station, a tram stop or a transit way. A pair of side platforms are often provided on a dual
track line with a single side platform being sufficient for a single track line. Side
platforms may result in a wider overall footprint for the station compared to an island
platform where a single width of platform can be 'shared' by both tracks. Larger stations
may have two side platforms with several island platforms in between.
FLOW THROUGH PLATFORM
Flow-through platforms allow passengers to board and alight the train from dedicated
platforms, thereby eliminating conflicting passenger flows. Flow-through platforms speed
boarding and alighting and therefore reduce vehicle dwell time at the platform. Flow-
through platforms are not typically used due to cost and operational considerations.

SPLIT PLATFORM
A split platform is a station that has a platform for each track, split onto two or more
levels. This configuration allows a narrower station plan (or footprint) horizontally, at the
expense of a deeper (or higher) vertical elevation, because sets of tracks and platforms are
stacked above each other. Where two rails lines cross or run parallel for a time.
CIRCULATION

LIFTS
• All lifts shall preferably be of the traction type, hydraulic lifts shall be used
where the machine room cannot be located directly above the lift shaft.
Internal Car Minimum Width Internal CarMinimum depth Internal Car
Minimum height Car opening: 1100x2200 MM Lift well: 2450 x 3200 mm
Headroom :4400mm
STAIRCASE
• Stairs are recommended for rise upto 6.907 M but restrictred for 10.975 M
The rise of the stairs shall preferably be limited to 3500 mm. Queing Space:
width of stair or 3.048 m, whichever is greater Minimum width: 1800 MM
Minimum Queing space in front of stairs equal to the width of the stair or
3.048 m, whichever is greater Risers per flight: 3-12 Height of riser: 150 mm
(maximum) Length of tread: 300 mm (minimum) movement of passengers: 2
lanes Vertical Clearance 2700 mm (min.) Handrail 850 mm high, 50 mm dia
• ESCALATOR
Provide an escalator where the vertical path of travel exceeds 3.658 m. Provide a
minimum of 9.146 mm of queuing and runoff space Queuing areas: LOS C.
Width :1219 mm nominal (two-lane) escalator. Capacity: Approximately 90
persons per minute.

RAMPS
• Ramps shall only be used for small changes in level or for use by wheelchairs
and the following gradients shall apply: a) preferred gradient 1:20 b) maximum
gradient 1:12 Ramps shall be a minimum width of 1200mm for unidirectional
movement and 1500 mm for bi-directional movement. Rest platforms should be
considered for long ramps (exceeding 10m) provided for wheelchair users. Rest
platforms should provide a level area 1800mm long at intervals of
approximately10m. Capacity of ramp as defined in NFPA 130 as .0819 per
millimeter per person per minute.

FOOTOVER BRIDGE
Minimum width of foot over bridge is 6m accessible by both stairs and ramp
Minimum overhead clearance: 2.75 m