Question: Subway platform gap

[wonderboy416]

What's the standard subway platform gap in Toronto?
I remember reading an article that a station in NYC that was remodeled wasn't able to open on time because the gap ended up being larger than 2 inches.
I would imagine Toronto has a similar tolerance? I don't ever remember this being an issue.

While for the most part Seoul's subway system is the epitome of what a modern subway should be (and they're not afraid to tout it as at the world's best), it is bothersome that there are giant gaps between the train and platform, even on some of the newer lines built this decade. A child's foot or someone's toe could easily get stuck and cause an injury. Can people sue the TTC if they trip on such a gap? I imagine there's no way they can sue in Seoul or they'd never have such huge gaps.

Here's a picture I snapped with my cell phone at my home station which is one of the newest lines in Seoul. I would think it's a much greater cause for concern here than in North America due to the insane amount of riders that pile onto the trains at a time.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

the gap can easily be eliminated. it wouldn't take much for a zero gap solution.

 

[CDL.TO]

The London Tube can be really bad for big gaps. I mean, lose a small person or child big. And there's vertical gaps as well, where the floor of the train is several inches higher than the platform.

But that's an old system. I don't know what to say about Seoul. Are the platforms/stations curved at all?

 

[wonderboy416]

Are the platforms/stations curved at all?

Come to think of it, yes some are very curved (such as the station I live next to). Could this account for the gaps? I will try to see what they're like on the straighter stations vs. the curved stations. The trains seem to be 2 cars longer than used by the TTC thus making the platforms considerably longer too.

 

[Mustapha]

The London Tube can be really bad for big gaps. I mean, lose a small person or child big. And there's vertical gaps as well, where the floor of the train is several inches higher than the platform.

But that's an old system. I don't know what to say about Seoul. Are the platforms/stations curved at all?

Yes, London surprised me too. Amazing how their ridership lives with it.

 

[BobBob]

Perhaps they have simply learned to 'mind the gap'.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

The London Tube can be really bad for big gaps. I mean, lose a small person or child big. And there's vertical gaps as well, where the floor of the train is several inches higher than the platform.

sounds like wheelchair hell. mind you, the system probably isn't that accessible to begin with. one would be lucky to even get the opportunity to experience the gap.

 

[kEiThZ]

the london tube can be really bad for big gaps. I mean, lose a small person or child big. And there's vertical gaps as well, where the floor of the train is several inches higher than the platform.

'Mind The Gap'

 

[jn_12]

The whole "mind the gap" thing is taken quite seriously in the Tube. Not only do you have "mind the gap" painted on the ground but a speaker drones on for the entire time a train is in the station with more "Mind the gap." Then once you're in the train when you pull up to the station you get an announcement along the lines of "Covent Garden, please mind the gap between the train and the platform"

Here's a good example of what the gaps are like there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40HqTIC9Vyg
And here's Embankment station which is curved and you can hear the "mind the gap"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ojomTUt0X4&feature=related

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

The gap aside for a moment, that sure looks clean!

 

[threnody]

The Times Square shuttle in NYC also has a very large gap, IIRC.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

all this thread is missing is someone photoshopping a "GAP" on a subway platform.

 

[wonderboy416]

The gap aside for a moment, that sure looks clean!

All of the stations here seem to be in immaculate shape. There's always someone, somehwere cleaning something in every station at any given time. Even the bathroom's are usually sparkling clean. Often you'll find several adjuma's (older females) with a bucket and cleaning supplies cleaning anything and everything in the stations. I've even seen them on their hands and knees cleaning that area around the gap with a toothbrush. It's also interesting that every station seems to have several men with batons whose job it is to keep you behind the yellow line as a train approaches, which is strange seeing how most stations have automatic doors to prevent access to the tracks. I was told the government feels it's important to keep people working so these types of jobs don't come under the axe when budget cuts are made, which is good because it's comforting to have several staff on hand in each station at midnight.

 

[adma]

The whole "mind the gap" thing is taken quite seriously in the Tube. Not only do you have "mind the gap" painted on the ground but a speaker drones on for the entire time a train is in the station with more "Mind the gap." Then once you're in the train when you pull up to the station you get an announcement along the lines of "Covent Garden, please mind the gap between the train and the platform"

Here's a good example of what the gaps are like there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40HqTIC9Vyg
And here's Embankment station which is curved and you can hear the "mind the gap"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ojomTUt0X4&feature=related

And God bless'em, they know how to market the concept

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

And God bless'em, they know how to market the concept

is that from a government website?