Research of Station Passenger Security Systems in Rail Transport

The passenger's safety is always at first. Nowadays metro transport requires prevention of passengers' access to the railway track. On one side this is for safety reasons and on the other - it is to guarantee a smooth and comfortable transport service. Passengers' safety on the platform is ensured via implementation of barrier (screen) systems. The report analyzes station barrier systems for passengers currently installed in Sofia Metropolitan. The aim is to provide structure details and the work principles of the various solutions, their advantages and disadvantages and the impact that they have on the operation. The Metropolitan of Sofia uses two kinds of passengers' barriers: Rope-type Screen Doors and Sliding Platform Screen Doors of half height. Both are tailored as per the relevant rolling stocks types and line signaling system for achieving an optimal balance between the safety objectives based on the corresponding capabilities of the line. The report addresses the safety level provided by passengers' barriers and their impact onto the timetable, meaning the time in addition to the train dwell time needed for the barrier system operation, (time for) reaction in case of obstacle, (time for) reaction in case corrective maintenance during operation. Passenger behaviors due to the different barrier structures, indications in case of problems, proposals for improvements are also analyzed.