SIDE PLATFORM

 The Side Platform is a classification when the tracks & trains are grouped together in the middle of the station box, or in case of stacked station, the track and the train will be located at one side. From a design, operation, safety, security, maintenance perspective, this platform type is not as desirable as the earlier island/centre platform. 

Let's break this down for further discussion:

1. Design & passenger wayfinding

   • Number of VT to concourse cannot be shared between two platform, hence higher no's required. This MAY be more challenging in stacked station, as VT needs to go from the lower platform to the upper platform, then to the concourse higher up. Lower capital and operation cost.

   • For argument sake, the below platforms have 8 escalators and 4 stairs. Whilst the previous sketch for the island platform has 3 escalator and two stair. The number of VT for the stacked station is a bit more complicated and greater in number than island platform.

   • Passenger way finding. Passengers need to make their platform decisions at the concourse level, so that they dont end up at the wrong direction platform. In stacked station, the VT disposition and arrangement to the lower level needs to be managed carefull so that passengers dont need to double back on the middle platform to get to the lower level. 

• Ref platform fig above, the side platform layout will provide narrower space for plant rooms, however it is true that most of the plants is housed at the concourse level above

• Services Arrangement, is similarly not as efficient as each platform needs to have individual connections, etc.  However, the underground side platform can have an easier trackside smoke ventilation duct arrangement, as it can potentially share across.

• Not as Safe in certain system, as platform is narrower, view across platform is restricted and more CCTV surveillance is required. 

• Statutory compliance is more onerous as number of VT capacity for egress is more. Each platform is design for incident at that level and also for evacuation of the other platfrom. Services, etc. for life safety may not be shared, etc.

• Enhanced operational maintenance, for all the reasons stated above, plus the overall volume of the station will be higher, which will require more energy and associated cost.