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Uncontrolled When Printed Railway Group Guidance Note

GE/GN8501
Issue One
Date July 1998

Platform Stepping
Distances

Synopsis
This Guidance Note is a joint Railtrack
/ HMRI Publication and fully supported
by both organisations.

Authorised by Authorised by

Signatures removed from electronic version

......................................................................... .........................................................................
Roderick Muttram Alan Cooksey
Director HM Deputy Inspector of Railways
Safety & Standards Directorate HMRI

Published by
This document is the property of
Safety & Standards Directorate,
Railtrack PLC. It shall not be
Railtrack PLC,
reproduced in whole or in part without
Floor DP01, Railtrack House,
the written permission of the Controller,
Railway Group Standards, Euston Square
Railtrack PLC. London NW1 2EE

© Copyright 1998 Railtrack PLC

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Railway Group Guidance Note
GE/GN8501
Platform Stepping Distances Issue One
Date July 1998
Page 1 of 8

Contents
Section Description Page

Part A
Issue Record 2
Application 2
Health and Safety Responsibilities 2
Supply 2

Part B
1 Introduction 3
2 Objective 3
3 Purpose 3
4 Scope 3
5 Background 3
6 Action to be Taken 4
7 HMRI Approval 6
8 Rolling Stock Approval Body 7
9 Compliance with Railway Group Standards 7

References 8

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Issue One Platform Stepping Distances
Date July 1998
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Part A
Issue Record
This Guidance Note will be updated when necessary by distribution of a
complete replacement.

Amended or additional parts of revised pages will be marked by a vertical black

line in the adjacent margin.

Issue Date Comments

1 July 1998 Original Document

Application
This Guidance Note sets out the approach to be followed by all Railway Group
Members in order to minimise stepping distances when new Infrastructure or
new trains are introduced, existing infrastructure is reconstructed, a major
refurbishment of rolling stock is carried out or existing rolling stock fleets are re-
deployed.

Health and Safety

Responsibilities
In issuing this Guidance Note, Railtrack PLC makes no warranties, express or
implied, that compliance with all or any Railway Group Standards is sufficient
on its own to ensure safe systems of work or operation. Each user is reminded
of its own responsibilities to ensure health and safety at work and its individual
duties under health and safety legislation.

Supply
Controlled and uncontrolled copies of this Guidance Note may be obtained from
the Industry Safety Liaison Dept, Safety and Standards Directorate, Railtrack
PLC, Railtrack House, DP01, Euston Square, London, NW1 2EE.

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Platform Stepping Distances Issue One
Date July 1998
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Part B
1 Introduction
This Guidance Note has been produced by Railtrack Safety and Standards
Directorate and HM Railway Inspectorate jointly to establish a clear framework
for works to platforms and changes to rolling stock which effect the stepping
distance between platform and vehicle. This Guidance Note is fully supported
by both organisations.

2 Objective
• To establish a railway network with stepping distances between vehicles and
platforms being reduced to the practical minimum throughout.
• To achieve an improvement, particularly in vertical stepping distances at the
earliest opportunity.

3 Purpose
The purpose of this Guidance Note is to set out the framework to be followed by
Railtrack and Train Operating Companies and their suppliers, pending the
publication of revised Railway Group Standards, for the following:

a) All work to new and existing station platforms relating to platform heights
and stepping distances.

b) When introducing new passenger rolling stock to a route or procuring a new

build of passenger rolling stock to run on Railtrack Controlled Infrastructure.

c) When carrying out a major refurbishment to existing rolling stock.

d) When re-deploying existing rolling stock fleets on Railtrack Controlled

Infrastructure.

Note: Clearance issues will apply also to non-passenger rolling stock.

Reasoned cases for reduced platform to rolling stock clearances, where
reasonably practicable, will be considered where these are proposed so as to
give improved stepping distances from a standard platform height.

4 Scope
The guidance given in this document is applicable to Railtrack, Station
Operators, Train Operators and their suppliers who have a responsibility for
stations or railway vehicles covered by the scope established in clause 4.3 of
Railway Group Standard GA/RT6001 issue 3.

5 Background
There has been a lack of consistent clear direction relating to work on station
platforms.

The existing Railway Group Standards, GC/RT5161 and GC/RT5204, mandate

a prescriptive platform height. They also mandate the maximum stepping
distances.

The HMRI Railway Safety Principles & Guidance recommend that the same
stepping distances as mandated by the Railway Group Standards should not be
exceeded but require that the stepping distances be kept as small as possible.

As an interim target a vertical stepping distance of 130mm will be acceptable in

the medium term, but the long term objective is for vertical stepping distances to
be in accordance with the Rail Vehicle Accessibility regulations (when they are
made).

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The current rolling stock fleet contains vehicles with a wide variety of floor /
stepping board heights. When some of these vehicles are matched with the
standard platform height mandated by the Railway Group Standard an
excessive vertical stepping distance results. This has led in some cases to the
adjustment of platform heights so that the stepping distance to specific trains
falls within the required maximum Railway Group Standard mandated
dimensions.

However, if such an approach were continued the result would be a railway

network with a variety of platform heights which would continue to generate a
need to change platforms whenever rolling stock fleets were moved or new
rolling stock were introduced. Such an approach will not lead to a long term
solution.

In order to meet the long term objective of achieving minimum stepping

distances for all rolling stock, it is necessary to work to standard platform height
and standard rolling stock floor / stepping board heights for future rolling stock.
In determining these future standard heights to be worked to, cognisance has to
be taken of the existing rolling stock currently running on the network.

Consideration was given to raising the current Railway Group Standard

mandated standard height above rail level of 915mm for straight platforms.
Extensive research into this has revealed that an increase on 915mm would
prohibit a significant proportion of the current rolling stock fleet from being able
to use such higher platforms unless the lateral dimension were also increased,
i.e. widening the horizontal gap between the train and platform.

It is considered that an increase in the horizontal gap dimension would introduce

a hazard with the potential for causing greater injury to persons than that which
would be saved by reducing the vertical stepping distance.

It has, therefore, been concluded that in order to achieve the long term
objective, a standard platform height of 915mm should be generally mandated
and worked to throughout the network, but there will be some exceptions to this
requirement. Such exceptions must be carefully controlled and managed so as
not to undermine the long term objective.

The following sections set out the actions to be taken by the respective Railway
Group members in each situation.

6 Action to be Taken
6.1 Railtrack (Infrastructure Controller)
6.1.1 Maintenance of track adjacent to platforms
It is essential that when Railtrack carries out any maintenance work to the track
within stations every attempt is made to ensure that the standard platform
height of 915mm above rail level is achieved.

Under no circumstances must any maintenance work result in the vertical

distance between the rail and the platform being changed so that the vertical
stepping distance from the platform to the train is increased.

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6.1.2 New Platforms

Where new platforms are to be constructed they must be designed and
constructed in accordance with the Railway Group Standard requirements
including to a height of 915mm, apart from curved platforms which need special
consideration and must in any case be specially authorised. The only
exceptions are:

• When any new platforms are constructed on part of the infrastructure which
is self contained or isolated and calling trains are to be operated by a
dedicated rolling stock, for example the Isle of Wight.
• Where it is possible for existing rolling stock to use platforms normally
dedicated to a particular rolling stock, such as Heathrow Express at
Paddington, the use of non standard heights must be fully justified. (see also
section 9).

Where new platforms are to be built on routes which are predominantly serviced
by existing rolling stock which will give excessive vertical stepping distance to a
standard platform height and it is evident that this situation will exist for a
number of years (in excess of 10) then consideration should be given to
constructing a higher platform, but the design must be such that the platform
height can be altered to comply with the standard at a future date when the
particular rolling stock is removed.

The consideration given above must take into account the implications for other
rolling stock that could be expected to use the platforms.

6.1.3 Work to Existing Platforms

When work as identified in paragraph 3(a) is carried out to an existing platform
which does not comply with Railway Group Standard dimensions, the platform
must be altered to comply with the standards. If existing rolling stock using
these platforms has excessive vertical stepping distances then the action set out
in clause 6.1.2 above shall be followed.

6.1.4 Introduction of Rolling Stock which has not Previously Operated on

a Specific Route
When it is proposed by a Train Operating Company to introduce a different
rolling stock onto an existing route, Railtrack must ensure, before agreeing to
the introduction of that rolling stock, that the Train Operating Company has
addressed the stepping distances issue, to confirm that no excessive vertical
stepping distances would be introduced. If any excessive stepping distances
would result due to the platforms not complying with the standard dimensions,
work must be done to alter the existing platform to comply with the standard
platform dimensions. If it is evident that a standard platform will still result in
excessive vertical stepping heights then the action set out in 6.1.2 shall be
followed.

Where the rolling stock being used and causing a problem is relatively short
compared to the length of the platforms, consideration should be given to
altering only the necessary length of the platform and putting appropriate
stopping arrangements in place.

6.2 Train Operating Companies

6.2.1 Maintenance of Rolling Stock
It is essential that all Train Operating Companies ensure that maintenance of
existing rolling stock is carried out such that all the floor / stepping board heights
of each vehicle are kept to dimensions which ensure that stepping distances are
complied with. The Train Operating Company must ensure that agreement is
reached with Railtrack on the required range of floor / stepping board
dimensions to be maintained.

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6.2.2 Introduction of Different Rolling Stock to a Specific Route

When it is proposed by a Train Operating Company to introduce different rolling
stock on to a route, the Train Operating Company must agree with Railtrack the
work to be undertaken to ensure that stepping distances to the newly introduced
rolling stock do not exceed the Railway Group Standard mandated values.
Where necessary, the Train Operating Company must agree with Railtrack the
scope of work to be undertaken to platforms, together with an implementation
plan, to ensure that the stepping distance values are achieved. The actions as
set out in 6.1 shall apply.

6.2.3 Procurement of New Trains

When Train Operating Companies procure new trains, it is essential that the
specifications clearly indicate that the new trains must be designed to provide
the minimum possible stepping distances to a standard platform height of
915mm. This does not mean that a stepping distance within the current
Railway Group Standard mandated maximum values is automatically
acceptable. For all new rolling stock the objective is to arrive at a vertical
stepping distance in accordance with the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations
(when they are made). These regulations are likely to require that a ramp is to
be provided if the vertical step is in excess of 50mm. In no circumstances must
the platform be higher than the train floor/step board.

6.3 Railway Vehicle Manufacturers

6.3.1 New Rolling Stock Builds
All new rolling stock shall be designed and built to give the smallest possible
stepping distance to the standard platform height of 915mm. Differences in
level between the vehicle floor and the entrance can be accommodated by
providing reasonable ramps or steps within the body. Any steps at the entrance
to a vehicle must be wide enough to be safely used as a firm foot step, and in
any case vehicle entrances must comply with the Rail Vehicle Accessibility
Regulations (when they are made).

6.3.2 Modifications to Existing Rolling Stock

All major modifications to existing rolling stock must address the issue of
stepping heights. It is essential that such major modifications addressing this
issue produce stepping heights which not only fit within the Railway Group
Standard mandated maximum values, but produce a vertical stepping distance
as small as possible.

7 HMRI Approval to
Work under the Railways
and other Transport
Systems (Approval of
Works, Plant and
Equipment) Regulations
1994
All schemes submitted to the HMRI for approval under the above regulations
will be vetted for compliance with these Guidance Notes by HMRI. Where this
Guidance Note has clearly been followed, HMRI approval will normally be
granted.

Any implementation plan resulting from the requirements of clause 6.2.2 must
accompany the submission.

However, where resulting stepping distances fall outside of the Railway Group
Standard mandated maximum values or are not minimised in accordance with
this Guidance Note a clear justification must be provided as to why compliance
is not reasonable and how the requirements for boarding are to be met.

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8 Rolling Stock
Acceptance Board
All submissions to RSAB will be vetted for compliance with this Guidance Note.
All submissions must clearly state the stepping distances to be provided at
platforms and in particular at a standard straight platform 915mm high. Where
this Guidance Note has clearly been followed RSAB approval will normally be
granted.

Any implementation plan resulting from the requirements of clause 6.2.2 must
accompany the submission.

However, where resulting stepping distances fall outside the Railway Group
Standard mandated maximum values, or are not minimised in accordance with
this Guidance Note, a clear justification must be provided as to why compliance
is not reasonable and how the requirements for boarding are to be met.

9 Compliance with
Railway Group
Standards
It must be noted that Railway Group Standards are mandatory on all members
of the Railway Group. Any requirements to be developed outside the
prescriptive requirements of Railway Group Standards must be covered by an
approved non-compliance or derogation as set out in Railway Group Standard
GA/RT6001 and GA/RT6006. Submissions for non-compliance to the existing
Railway Group Standards as a result of following this Guidance Note will
normally be accepted but must be accompanied by a full justification as to why
the mandatory requirements of the Railway Group Standard cannot be complied
with.

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References

GC/RT5161 Station Platform Design Requirements

GC/RT5204 Structure Gauging and Clearances

GA/RT6001 Railway Group Standards Change Procedures

GA/RT6006 Derogations from Railway Group Standards

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