METRO GAP

GAP of curved platforms in the Barcelona metro network

In the Challenger current system there are 9 network stations that are built in a curve, this layout creates a space/gap between the platform and the vehicle access doors. This prevents access from not complying with the stipulated accessibility conditions and generates dangerous situations to our disabled customers.

The platform floor must be at the same level as the floor of the rolling stock, with a tolerance of 30 mm in the vertical direction, and the horizontal gap between vehicle and platform must be less than 75 mm. In the rest of the means of rail transport, in the event that a vehicle circulates with the floor of the accessible area raised more than 30 mm with respect to the platform, the minimum depth of the space free of obstacles in front of the accessible doors must be increased with the length of the ramp necessary to overcome the vertical gap, considering a slope of 12%. A solution is sought that solves this problem of geometry and empty spaces and has to be compatible with different train series.

Transports

Railway

Mechanical Systems / New Materials

Innovative solutions to address the problem

The solution that allows to overcome that need should have the following characteristics, functionalities, results, and impact:
It must ensure that the gauges of the train do not encroach on any of its modes of operation, mainly: start and end of the nominal run on the platform and stop in degraded mode (partial occupation of the platform parking area).

In this sense: it must consider the arrival and stop of a train in the platform area, the departure of the train and must detect the position of the train.

In the event that in any position it invades the gauge of the train or may compromise the operation or safety of customers, it must be supervised and controllable both locally and remotely. In the event of an incident or degraded situation, it will also be operable (activation and cancellation) locally and remotely.
If possible, it should not involve modifications and should be integrated with the functionalities of the Rolling Stock, the signalling system-ATP-ATO, the track layout and catenary.

Must be integrated with network operation:

The driver’s vision cannot be interfered with or with the signalling/signalling implemented.
There should be no elements that impede the normal movement of people. Likewise, the materials used must prevent involuntary falls.
It may not affect the stoppage time at the Rolling Stock station.

It must function nominally autonomously (without requiring human action). Must be compatible with all available train series.
It must be a maintainable system (robust, simple, quick to correct errors and incidents, and durable over time).
It must ensure compliance with applicable regulations within railway environments.
Specifically, CENELEC 50126, 50128 and 50129 are indicated, among others.

Ferrocarril Metropolità de Barcelona, SA

TMB is the main public transport operating company in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is the common name of the companies Ferrocarril Metropolità de Barcelona S.A (FMB) and Transports de Barcelona (TB) S.A, which manage the metro and bus network on behalf of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. It also includes the companies Proyectos y Servicios de Movilidad, SA, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona, SL, as well as the TMB Foundation.

The Ferrocarril Metropolità de Barcelona, S.A is the company of the Group that prepares the accounts consolidated annually.

TMB has 106 bus lines and 11 metro lines with a length of 946 km. In 2022, Transportes de Barcelona SA (Bus) had a demand of 178.11 million users, while Ferrocarril Metropolità de Barcelona SA (Metro) had 371.68 million passengers. The Barcelona Bus Turístic service has had 2.95 million trips and the Montjuïc Cable Car has had 1.53 million trips.

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METRO GAP

TMB provides services in Barcelona and in 10 other municipalities in its metropolitan area. It is the main public transport operator in Catalonia.
The Barcelona metro network has eight lines (five conventional lines and three automatic) and also includes the Montjuïc Funicular in its service. In total, there are 165 stations and 165 trains running at rush hour.

With extensive service hours, the TMB metro network is currently used by more than 400 million passengers a year, 39% of all passengers in the metropolitan region. Currently, in the Barcelona Metro network there are 9 stations with platforms built on a curve.

Due to the curvature of the platforms, a series of problems have been generated: accidents, injuries, problems in boarding and disembarking users, increased time to access the metro, availability of accompanying personnel who offer help to users, etc.

At this time we cannot accurately determine the approximate number of users who cannot use the service due to accessibility problems, but we can specify the population data of people with disabilities and people over 65 years old residing in the municipalities served by TMB, who are potential users, as detailed in the following image:

The current solution is to have specialized personnel to facilitate access to the metro.

Currently, in the Barcelona Metro network there are 9 stations with platforms built on a curve. This arrangement generates a Gap (space between the platform and the train abutment) that exceeds 30 mm measured vertically and 75 mm measured horizontally. This space makes it difficult for all users to access the train, as can be seen in the photographs.