Platform gap filler

Platform gap fillers in Hong Kong

Platform gap fillers are movable platform edge extensions at subway or train stations where the curvature of the platform creates a significant gap between the platform and subway or train car door.

Japan

Some Japanese railway stations have platform gap fillers, which are known as movable steps (可動ステップ, kadō steppu).^[1] Over 200 fillers are used in the Tokyo subway.^[2]

New York City Subway

South Ferry station with gap fillers extended out to a 1 train, as reopened on April 4, 2013.

The downtown express track at 14th Street – Union Square. A retracted gap filler can be seen at the bottom of the image along the platform edge, with additional gap fillers visible in the distance.

The Interborough Rapid Transit Company's first cars were built with only two doors on each side, at the extreme ends of the car, lining up with the curved platforms so as not to leave a wide gap between the train and the platform. When the IRT modified existing cars and ordered new cars with a middle door, gap fillers were needed because the middle door was not near the platform. After the City of New York bought the IRT in 1940, new car designs (starting with the R12) had the end doors away from the extreme ends of the carbody, which also required the use of gap fillers at certain stations.

Stations equipped

IRT stations with gap fillers are:

• South Ferry, outer loop.^[3] The station closed on March 16, 2009 and was replaced by a new station which does not require gap fillers. After the latter station was damaged by flooding during Hurricane Sandy, the loop station was reopened as a temporary terminus on April 4, 2013. The 2009-era station reopened on June 27, 2017.
• Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall (IRT Lexington Avenue Line) originally had gap fillers on the express tracks. These were deactivated when the station was extended northward. These gap fillers are still in place and can be seen just south of the current platforms.^[4]
• 14th Street – Union Square (IRT Lexington Avenue Line) has gap fillers on both tracks on the downtown platform.^[5] There may have been gap fillers on the uptown express platform. A new design of gap filler was installed in 2004 to provide maintenance access from the platform rather than requiring crews to stand at track level.
• Times Square (IRT 42nd Street Shuttle) has them on Shuttle tracks 1 and 3. They are mounted under the platform rather than on it, so they are not ADA accessible.^[6]

Singapore

Platform gap fillers are used in the Mass Rapid Transit system of Singapore, namely the North South MRT Line and the East West MRT Line. Platform gap fillers are also planned for installation on trains on the North East MRT Line and the Circle MRT Line as well, because newer trains can be equipped with gap fillers.^[7]

See also

• Platform gap
• Mind the gap

References

External links

• Media related to Train station platform gap fillers at Wikimedia Commons