Station platform widths

[Junior]

A bit of a long shot but....

Operational platform lengths are listed by route in the Sectional Appendix. Is anyone aware of a listing / dataset for platform widths?

I get that width is not as straightforward as length (due to varying widths, curvature, concourse area etc) and possibly not as useful as a piece of information but any info would be useful, or even route wide guidance on identification of stations with narrow platforms.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Could you flesh out what you have in mind behind the word ‘useful’? E.g. space for a blind person to use a long cane, clearances from passing high speed services if pushing a buggy, general crowding at stations where connections are made, ramp lengths for wheelchair access, etc.?

 

[Junior]

Could you flesh out what you have in mind behind the word ‘useful’? E.g. space for a blind person to use a long cane, clearances from passing high speed services if pushing a buggy, general crowding at stations where connections are made, ramp lengths for wheelchair access, etc.?

Thanks for the comment...

I hadn't thought of it in those terms, appreciate that space for all of those of things is 'useful'.

I was wondering about platform widths at a much higher level, thinking of overall platform areas to look at a theoretical platform capacity across a wide study area (100 plus stations). Direct measure in Google Earth or similar isn't an option.

 

[Watershed]

I'm not aware of any network wide source for platform widths. Narrow platforms can cause difficulties, even at stations which offer "step free" access. Sometimes there is enough room for the ramp to be put down, but not for the passenger to actually get off it and turn towards the exit !

 

[Dr Hoo]

Thanks for the comment...

I hadn't thought of it in those terms, appreciate that space for all of those of things is 'useful'.

I was wondering about platform widths at a much higher level, thinking of overall platform areas to look at a theoretical platform capacity across a wide study area (100 plus stations). Direct measure in Google Earth or similar isn't an option.

Ah, perhaps more "usable" than "useful".

I'm not sure that there is really an answer here. Platforms may have plenty of 'spare space' but if it is towards the ends of long platforms, beyond the canopied area and away from where (say) two-coach trains might be stopping there won't be many people waiting there in the pouring rain for their train.

For example:

Somewhere like Newport has loads of space but most of it 'wasted'.

Somewhere like Bristol Parkway is very cramped, made even worse by the fact that a large proportion of passengers seem to 'take root' as soon as they get to the foot of the stairs even if they have a seat reservation in the leading vehicle of a 9-car London service.

Manchester Piccadilly has loads of long platforms but is largely served by relatively short trains that take up less than half of their length.

People are reluctant to wait all along the platforms at the new Market Harborough with fast services whizzing past, minimal shelter and a very windy location.

And so on...

 

[themiller]

On checking, I was talking rubbish!