Challenges of eliminating steps

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Train operators believe it's not feasible to solve all the issues caused by both gaps and steps at all stations. ​

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Solutions they've implemented so far are along straight sections of track with small steps, but they still may not comply with the DSAPT 2002 max height of 12mm (to avoid the need for ramps) because of mixed height trains. Addressing the illegally steep ramps caused by high steps and short ramps has been slower. So far, they've proposed:

1) New stations 

2) Raising existing stations + platforms

3) Lowering tracks

4) Creating small raised sections along the platform called "raised boarding pads" (only 1 or 2 doors of a train)

The cheapest solution that operators are the most heavily considering is option 4), however, raised boarding pads aren't a silver bullet. The main issues with raised boarding pads are:

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- Trains don't always arrive at the same height. Depending on occupancy and differences between train types, there may still be a step that makes it inaccessible. It will however almost certainly be an improvement compared with no pad but may not eliminate the need for a ramp for all trains arriving.

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- Door types matter and plug doors (Siemens Nexus, V/Line Sprinter) are doors that are lower than the floor of the train and need clearance to open. If the floor of the train and the platform are level, These doors need a horizontal gap to provide clearance to open, which makes the elimination of the step a moot point.

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- Only doors arriving at the pad become accessible. DSAPT 2002 requires any door that is an accessible train car door to also have an accessible passage to that door. Accessibility is improved, but it does not go far enough to provide compliance with DSAPT 2002. Passengers should expect to be able to choose to sit anywhere along the train that has an accessible sized door and accessible seating.  There's a high chance if only one door can be used independently, the accessible seating nearby could already be taken.

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- Costs. $800k per V/Line station, 90+ stations require raised pads = $72M,     and, $200k per door per platform for Melbourne Metro which over 200 stations needing at least two pads = $80M.  This is a $150M problem for Victoria alone.  Estimates for NSW go as high as 405 stations requiring up to $5M to modify platforms. The cheapest option (that doesn't even solve all the problems!) is a multi-billion dollar problem for Australia alone.

 

- Smooth flat platforms that drain away from the tracks is best but many platforms are not like that.  Raised boarding pads could introduce new permanent trip, slip, and rolling hazards. Creating new slopes on platforms can cause prams, strollers, bikes, and luggage to accidently build up speed and then roll onto the train tracks. Accessibility changes are balanced with risk.  Raised boarding pads  can help but they should not be built in a way that could allow platforms to become too undulated and unsafe.