Feasibility of a kneeling train to improve platform–train interface for passenger boarding and alighting

Railway operators and infrastructure companies strive to optimise the flow of passengers on and off vehicles whilst aiming to minimise accidents at the Platform-Train Interface (PTI). An ideal solution (already available in some situations) would be a step-free access to aid efficient boarding for everyday passengers and those with additional needs or reduced mobility. Out of many solutions existing today, a ‘kneeling vehicle’ seems a possible solution due to the opportunity to minimise the step and gap distances. In this paper, the viability of an assumed kneeling mechanism retro-fitted to a contemporary suspension architecture is assessed by evaluating the possible improvement in the step/gap distances based on a detailed model of suspension movement. It is shown that for many different infrastructure scenarios that significant improvements in the PTI are shown for a modest and achievable kneeling action. This paper also address fundamental operational concerns of a kneeling vehicle by assessing gauging (with respect to infrastructure and adjacent vehicles) and pantograph interaction.