Train Platforms

Most platforms would need extensive redesign, rebuilding to incorporate the barriers. Many are just precast concrete planks on brick or concrete piers. These were upgraded from timber structures originally. Therefore they comprise a ~100mm thick concrete plank with some blacktop and a void under. Some may be backfilled but to put barriers up a concrete foundation block or minipiles would need to be installed under each post to resist the horizontal forces. This is fine for new lines but would close half the network for upgrades to platform barriers.
 
The people who stand right next to the edge really annoy me. Is it worth risking your life just to get on the train first? It’s not gonna leave until everyone’s on.

I agree it isn't worth the risk but at certain station people get left behind at rush hour, sometimes even if the train isn't completely full because they close the doors before everyone has boarded.

When i get the tube home from central London I walk right to the end of the platform as it means I have more chance of getting on - and its the right end of the train when I get off. However the platform wall goes "in" a bit meaning at the very end the platform is only a couple of feet deep. And that's the end of the platform where the train comes in, so it flies past at full wack. I always stay away from the very end of the platform for that reason, yet nine times out of ten some crazy will step around me and stand in that tiny area between me, the wall and the end of the platform. Mad.

Similar situation with the W&C line at Bank, I always aim to get to the far end of the platform because it is less congested and prefer to be that end of the train anyway because it gives quicker access to the platforms at Waterloo. I don't normally go in the narrow bit at the very end in case I have to switch platforms anyway.

As for the original question I guess it would be a massive ballache trying to align all the stations around the country to have barriers (and rolling stock to cope with it) etc, especially as we have multiple train operators serving the same stations.
 
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IIRC, that's Penrith station?
 
Slight deviation but I find it crazy that in 2018 you still empty your jobbies on the track.

That barely happens, it gets stored in a tank and is emptied at the end. A few trains may do it but it’s far from the norm and is being phased out.
Next you’ll be saying planes drop human waste..
 
I've noticed in some countries they don't even let you on the platform until the train has arrived and stopped - for some reason this seemed to be matched by inevitably the waiting room/area being in the middle of renovation with scaffolding and sheeting everywhere and half the facilities inaccessible or even having to wait outside.

When I used to commute through say London Bridge and New Cross, etc. I always used to wonder how there weren't daily fatalities at rush hour.
 
If the train approaching isn't my train and it isn't stopping then I'll stand behind the yellow line. Otherwise, the risk isn't really that great and after the train (i.e. the one I intend to board) has passed me (and is slowing down) I'll stand in front of the yellow line. If you want to be a fanny and surrender yourself to standing for the commute, that is fine. It just makes it easier for people such as myself to get a seat.

There's also very high demand for the priority seats because of the additional leg room and not being a hobbit-sized man, I compete with others to get these seats.

The only exception I make to the rule above (standing behind the yellow line until the train has passed me) is if somebody has strategically positioned themselves such that the train doors that I would also like to enter, stop in front of them. In such cases, I will just stand in front of that person/those people, holding my rucksack in my hand in order to maximise the amount of room I take up and as a way in which to disadvantage my fellow competitors. This is irrespective of whether the train has passed me yet or not.
 
No, hardly any countries have barriers with doors on heavy rail systems! It is mostly found on rapid transit systems.

I've never seen it anywhere - I'm not the most extensive traveller but been abroad a bit - my brother encountered it in Japan but not sure context if that was rapid transit or not.

EDIT: Thailand and the likes is one part of the world I've not been to though so can't comment on that heh.
 
I've never seen it anywhere - I'm not the most extensive traveller but been abroad a bit - my brother encountered it in Japan but not sure context if that was rapid transit or not.

I'm pretty sure the mass transit is the same as us, just the subway system etc.

Or maybe some places. But I only got the train maybe two or three times.

Edit - Wait I remember Kyoto having gates for the bullet train definitely.
 
At some of the local stations in Birmingham during rush hour you'll sometimes be pushed past the yellow line whether you want to or not - there's simply no room for the people behind to get onto the platform. Not pleasant considering the number of non-stop services which pass through. I wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason they demolished the café(s) at University was so the platforms can hold more people.

Meanwhile at home in the Cotswolds, we only recently got yellow lines. They were faded white for as long as I can remember, although it's rarely that busy (maybe morning Paddington trains).

A bigger problem is Platform 2, which is "non-regulation" and is therefore about 40cm lower than it should be (maybe more in places)... But it's a listed station and partially built over a viaduct, so probably not much they can do. Not uncommon to have to help people on/off!
 
Maybe doors might help at extremely busy stations but I would only want them installed where absolutely required

Ideally improving the station layout or frequency of trains to reduce the rush hour overcrowding.
 
Some idiot could push you under a car at any time. Would you like barriers around all pavements as well?

I think barriers are the wrong strategy to counter idiots.


Well it's not practical to completley segregate pedestrians and cars (although you will noicte in areas where it's been a problem there are in fact barriers between cars and people)

But it is much more practicle to put barriers in stations at least the problem ones.


Out of curiosity do you apply this rather stupid argument to everything in your life?

X might happen so why bother doing Y? Kind of thinking?
 
The cost to fit would be huge.
Got to remember being one of the first countries to hit the industrial revolution. Means our infrastructure is old and less than optimal. Compared to countries that have put in more recently and/or have very cheap labour like China and far more land and less nimby laws.
 
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