Table Of Contents:

Introduction           3

Body of the Railway Barrier           4 – 7

Function of a Keyboard           8

Conclusion           8

References           9

         

Introduction

           Platform Screen Doors (PSDs), or Railway Barriers, are essential safety features found in railways all over the world. These doors act as a physical barrier between the train platform and the railroad tracks. This barrier helps to improve operational efficiency, guarantee passenger safety, and prevent accidental falls. PSDs were created to address the growing concerns about passenger safety. Over time, they have changed dramatically, including cutting-edge designs and technologies to match the demands of the contemporary rail network. In the middle of the 20th century, the idea of PSDs was born due to the need to improve security in train stations. The original concepts focused mainly on basic mechanical barriers that offered basic fall and accident prevention. But as passenger traffic increased and urbanization grew, the demand for more advanced solutions developed. The Japanese company Nabtesco Corporation was one of the main pioneers in the creation of modern platform screen doors. Nabtesco, a company with a long history of engineering and invention, transformed the field of railway safety systems by introducing better designs and technologies into PSDs. Their efforts improved passenger safety requirements and impacted PSD development internationally. Earlier designs of Platform Screen Doors often relied on conventional mechanical systems, featuring basic sliding or swinging panels. Although these designs had some effectiveness, they lacked flexibility and utility. Newer models with electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic mechanics came forth as technology advanced, providing more customization possibilities, improved dependability, and smoother performance.

Figure #1: An image of a PSD, as seen on the left of the image, within a train station platform. (SamSchwartz, 2022)          

The Body of a Platform Screen Door

           A Platform Screen Door is a safety tool that consists of a barrier, made generally from a mix of glass and a metal alloy, used to prevent access to the train track of a railway from the platform of said railway. Figure #1 above shows the visual of how a PSD would look on a railway platform. PSDs come in a half-size and a full-size, each with its own set of specific advantages and disadvantages. In Figure #2 on the page below, you can see that a PSD consists of several different parts, including an upper structure, a drive mechanism, sliding doors, glass panels, and an emergency exit door.

            Figure #2: This image shows a more in-depth display of PSDs, highlighting its individual parts, including the Upper Structure, Drive Mechanism, Sliding Doors, Fixed Glass Panels, and Emergency Exit Door. (RailSystem, 1)       

Upper Structure:

           The upper structure is usually made of tempered glass, which provides stability and durability to the PSD. Some upper structures consist of sensors and fanlights for the operation of the PSD. Figure #3 shows an image of the upper structure which is located above the doors.

Figure #3: An image of the Upper Structure of a PSD, as seen on the top of the image. (Substack, 2022)

Drive Mechanism: 

           The Drive mechanism is what opens and closes the doors which are made of pulleys, sensors, belts, and motors. The sensor is typically an infrared sensor, when it detects a train is approaching the station it will activate the motor causing the gears to engage and move the doors. The doors will then slide open to allow passengers to board the train. After a certain time, the motor will reverse its direction which will close the doors which prevents access to the train. Figure #4 shows a simple overview of the automated system.

  Figure #4: A diagram of the Drive Mechanism of a PSD. (Nabco, 1)

Sliding Door:

           Typically composed of tempered glass that slides horizontally through a track system to open and close the doors. The doors are guided by rollers to ensure smooth movement. When triggered by sensors it will slowly open the doors creating an opening for passengers to board the train. Figure #5 shows one of the many sliding doors that there are.

Figure #5: An image of the Sliding Doors in action. (Retrail, 1)

Fixed Panel:

           Provides stability and rigidity to the overall structure which secures the sliding doors. The fixed panel helps maintain the safety of the people by creating a barrier between the platform and the tracks, preventing any accidents. Figure #6 shows a brief overview of the fixed panel.    

Figure #6: An image of a PSD that shows the large Fixed Glass Panels. (StanleyAccess, 1)

Emergency Exit Door:

           Serves as an additional safety feature to provide an exit in case of an emergency. The emergencies are manually operated and can be opened by both passengers and emergency personnel when needed. It provides for rapid evacuation of passengers. Figure #7 you can see the location of the emergency door. 

Figure #7: A diagram of a PSD that highlights the Emergency Exit Door. (Jsmwws, 2017)

Function of a Platform Screen Door

           PSDs serve a major function in modern transportation systems by acting as a physical barrier between the platform and the tracks in railway and metro stations. By stopping the ability of accidental falls onto the tracks, these doors improve passenger safety by lowering the possibility of injuries and fatalities. Additionally, by having managed passenger movement, reducing stay times, and strengthening security measures, PSDs increase the efficiency of railways and train stations. hey also contribute to the overall comfort of passengers by reducing noise and air pollution in underground stations. Overall, platform screen doors are essential to providing passengers in urban transit networks with a comfortable, safe, and efficient travel experience.

Conclusion

           In conclusion, Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) are an important advancement in railroad safety offering a solution to the problem of preventing accidents and ensuring passenger safety. From what started out as a simple mechanical barrier to the state-of-the-art, highly developed systems of today, PSDs have undergone constant modification to satisfy the growing needs of railways and train stations. Driven by pioneers such as Nabtesco Corporation, these doors have experienced a dramatic change, adding pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical mechanisms for improved performance and dependability. PSDs are an essential part of today’s transportation infrastructure, and their role in ensuring a safe, efficient, and pleasurable travel experience is only going to increase with urbanization and the need for more efficient transit.

References:

Jsmwws. (n.d.). Platform Gate. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from Jsmwws.com website: http://www.jsmwws.com/en/content/?929.html

Lifting Platform Screen Doors – NIPPON SIGNAL. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2024, from english.signal.co.jp website: https://english.signal.co.jp/products/platform/new-homegate/

Moon, K. (2022, March 21). Advance Screening: Platform Screen Doors on the NYC Subway. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from Sam Schwartz : Making the Journey Better website: https://www.samschwartz.com/staff-reflections/2022/3/31/advance-screening-platform-screen-doors-on-the-nyc-subway

Nabco. (n.d.). Mechanism. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from nabco.nabtesco.com website: https://nabco.nabtesco.com/en/automatic-door/structure/

Platform Screen Doors: No barrier to success. (2007, April 19). Retrieved May 4, 2024, from Intelligent Transport website: https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-articles/1725/platform-screen-doors/

Portalp. (2020, June 19). Platform screen door. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from Portalp.com website: https://www.portalp.com/platform-screen-door/?lang=us

Railsystem. (n.d.). Platform Screen Doors (PSD). Retrieved May 4, 2024, from Railsystem.net website: https://railsystem.net/platform-screen-doors-psd/

Reece Martin. (2022, November 18). I hate the lack of platform screen doors here, and that’s just the start. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from substack.com website: https://reecemartin.substack.com/p/members-only-i-hate-the-lack-of-platform

Restrail. (n.d.). 8.4 Sliding doors at platforms. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from restrail.eu website: https://restrail.eu/toolbox/spip.php?article105

Ueda, M., Sawada, Y., & Matsubayashi, T. (2015, June 1). The effectiveness of installing physical barriers for preventing railway suicides and accidents: Evidence from Japan. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from sciencedirect.com website: https://www-sciencedirect-com.ccny-
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