beautifulplanet
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Being aware that this is a news item affecting both high-speed rail and commuter rail operations, this post is in the high-speed rail forum for now. If necessary, please move. 
Just the day before yesterday, Streetsblog San Francisco published a news article about the intentions of Caltrain and the California High-Speed Rail Authority to work together and try to establish both level boarding and compatible platforms. For many, this might sound like great news, as it might seem to some that this was a lingering issue that was already known for such a long time still it seemed like the respective agencies did not seem to take any action on it (yet). For those looking for rail to offer quickest trip times and passenger comfort and access by the means of level boarding, while still wanting rail to offer high capacity and high operational flexibility and quality thanks to compatible platforms, it may sound like very good news that the agencies involved declare that they are working to bring about all this:
Caltrain and High-Speed Rail Pursue Level Boarding, Compatible Platforms
by Andrew Boone
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
http://sf.streetsblog.org/2014/10/07/caltrain-and-high-speed-rail-to-pursue-shared-level-platforms/
With CHSRA having issued a Request for Expressions of Interest on October 1 for single-level train cars with a floor height of 51 inches, and with Caltrans having inssued a Request for Expressions of Interest on May 22 for bi-level EMUs stating that they are "interested in how railcar manufacturers have been able to accommodate and interface with varying platform heights, gaps and ADA requirements with their vehicles, and what options exist for the JPB to provide a Level Boarding environment for both JPB and CHSR vehicles" while specifically mentioning 50 inches, in conclusion some might hope that a new 50 inch standard would be feasable. While this may require new platforms for Caltrain, Clem Tillier pointed out in his blog that Caltrain finished reconstructing 37 new platforms at 19 different stations along the corridor within the last 15 years, so it might seem to some like rebuilding platforms can be carried out as demonstrated in the recent past (even without any electrification or high-speed rail projects).
Once rolling stock and platform heights are all figured out between Caltrain and CHSRA, one last thing still to deal with might be a regulation preventing platforms being taller than 8 inches as long as tracks are used for freight, called California Public Utilities Commission's General Order 26-D. Some might hope that though freight railroads would probably oppose it, a waiver to exempt Caltrain from this requirement would be granted, clearing the way for higher platforms offering quick and accessable level boarding and platforms being compatible for both high-speed rail and commuter rail.
Just the day before yesterday, Streetsblog San Francisco published a news article about the intentions of Caltrain and the California High-Speed Rail Authority to work together and try to establish both level boarding and compatible platforms. For many, this might sound like great news, as it might seem to some that this was a lingering issue that was already known for such a long time still it seemed like the respective agencies did not seem to take any action on it (yet). For those looking for rail to offer quickest trip times and passenger comfort and access by the means of level boarding, while still wanting rail to offer high capacity and high operational flexibility and quality thanks to compatible platforms, it may sound like very good news that the agencies involved declare that they are working to bring about all this:
Caltrain and High-Speed Rail Pursue Level Boarding, Compatible Platforms
by Andrew Boone
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
http://sf.streetsblog.org/2014/10/07/caltrain-and-high-speed-rail-to-pursue-shared-level-platforms/
With CHSRA having issued a Request for Expressions of Interest on October 1 for single-level train cars with a floor height of 51 inches, and with Caltrans having inssued a Request for Expressions of Interest on May 22 for bi-level EMUs stating that they are "interested in how railcar manufacturers have been able to accommodate and interface with varying platform heights, gaps and ADA requirements with their vehicles, and what options exist for the JPB to provide a Level Boarding environment for both JPB and CHSR vehicles" while specifically mentioning 50 inches, in conclusion some might hope that a new 50 inch standard would be feasable. While this may require new platforms for Caltrain, Clem Tillier pointed out in his blog that Caltrain finished reconstructing 37 new platforms at 19 different stations along the corridor within the last 15 years, so it might seem to some like rebuilding platforms can be carried out as demonstrated in the recent past (even without any electrification or high-speed rail projects).
Once rolling stock and platform heights are all figured out between Caltrain and CHSRA, one last thing still to deal with might be a regulation preventing platforms being taller than 8 inches as long as tracks are used for freight, called California Public Utilities Commission's General Order 26-D. Some might hope that though freight railroads would probably oppose it, a waiver to exempt Caltrain from this requirement would be granted, clearing the way for higher platforms offering quick and accessable level boarding and platforms being compatible for both high-speed rail and commuter rail.
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