AUTOMATED HIGH LEVEL PLATFORM RETRACTABLE EDGE FEASIBILITY TO ACCOMMODATE WIDE LOAD PASSENGER FREIGHT MANUAL ON HIGH SPEED PASSENGER RAIL LINES

摘要

Throughout the country freight and passenger rail traffic frequently operate on the same tracks, creating challenges to meet the needs of both operations. One major challenge facing many carriers and authorities today is bringing passenger stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The most effective and efficient way to meet the ADA requirements is through the provision of full-length level boarding platforms. Unfortunately, high level platforms create a physical conflict with wide-load freight movements in areas where freight and passenger rail operate over the same right of way. Over the years, multiple options to alleviate the conflict while meeting the requirements of ADA have been developed, including freight by-pass tracks, gauntlet tracks, mini-high level boarding platforms and varying versions of manual flip-up platform edges. The manual flip-up edges have been chosen to reduce the gap between passenger cars and platform edges, while being able to be manipulated to provide increased freight clearances. Although the various designed movable edges provide a level of solution, the industry is looking for a safe, heavy duty, standardized, fully automated edge that can be controlled by off-site supervision. As part of PennDOT's Keystone Corridor Improvement Program, several projects involved wide-load clearance envelopes requiring a solution that will meet the needs of the freight operators, while addressing PennDOT's goals of ADA compliance and reducing platform dwell time. To address these issues, PennDOT conducted a study to identify and evaluate the feasibility of alternatives to traditional manual flip-up edge installations. This paper will present the results of this study, including the planned implementation for platform alternatives on the Keystone Corridor.