Paul Corfield wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 09:09:56 +0000, asdf
wrote:

On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:09:27 +0000, Spyke wrote:

(Given that the platforms at Bank and Waterloo are pretty straight, I
don't understand why they didn't raise the whole platform).
Perhaps it's a trial of a hump that will be used at many other
stations?

That is exactly what it is - a trial. If you consider the LU
environment it is hugely varied and we have to start somewhere with
evaluating a relatively simple approach to providing level access into
the trains. Given that wheelchair space is at specific points in the
trains then this trial is designed with that in mind. Raising the
entire platform is not cheap and still causes issues at those points
where you exit the platform into adjoining corridors / stairs or ramps.
Solving one issue may well cause other more complex ones.

Why don't the platforms already line up with the trains?

The real
challenge centres on what to do with places like Bank Central Line
(curved) or compromise height locations like Hammersmith D&P where you
step up to District line trains and down into Picc Line ones.

Agreed.

For curved platforms, you could try gap fillers:
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?246
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?27026
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?29324

Most of the compromise height locations have subsurface trains on one
track and tube trains on the other -- if one of the tracks were raised a
bit and the other lowered, the problem would be largely solved (except
when trains are rerouted to the other track). But that still leaves
Uxbridge through Rayners Lane and Ealing Common.
--
David of Broadway
New York, NY, USA