by ApproachMedium
I didnt see that anywhere. The Siemens model is designed to be modular, low or high boarding or high/low combo boarding. The obvious blank doors (which i cant see lasting) seem to be high level only. If its anything like the automation they have equipt into trains in europe, the switch from high and low might actually be automated and controlled from one location.
If you havent seen how NJ Transit trains work with "Long doors" which allow for high or low level boarding with minimal intervention by the crew then i suggest getting on one on the raritan line and going for a ride. The low level stops can be opened from one keystation and closed as well. The big difference here, and I dont know why Amtrak hasnt done it yet, is a train can be switched from low to high level between stops in a matter of minutes, while the train is in motion with all doors closed since the door itself extends to the bottom of the steps and the trap floor is internal to the car. Where typical amtrak trains the doors cannot be opened at a low level unless the door is physically opened first and a trap lifted to access the steps. This is a slow operation, requires more crew members and requires boarding only where there is a crewmember present to open and close the traps.
The differences we experience with the Long door setup here in NJ with NJT trains low vs high levels is minimal. As long as you have a platform the length of the train it doesnt take that much longer at all to load and unload a train.
If you havent seen how NJ Transit trains work with "Long doors" which allow for high or low level boarding with minimal intervention by the crew then i suggest getting on one on the raritan line and going for a ride. The low level stops can be opened from one keystation and closed as well. The big difference here, and I dont know why Amtrak hasnt done it yet, is a train can be switched from low to high level between stops in a matter of minutes, while the train is in motion with all doors closed since the door itself extends to the bottom of the steps and the trap floor is internal to the car. Where typical amtrak trains the doors cannot be opened at a low level unless the door is physically opened first and a trap lifted to access the steps. This is a slow operation, requires more crew members and requires boarding only where there is a crewmember present to open and close the traps.
The differences we experience with the Long door setup here in NJ with NJT trains low vs high levels is minimal. As long as you have a platform the length of the train it doesnt take that much longer at all to load and unload a train.
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