Passenger terminal

Layout of the platform

Railway stations and platforms come in many configurations. This was affected by factors such as the site's geographical structure, or the need to serve more than one path, which may or may not be connected, and the track level. Exemplary examples include:

•Tunnel stations;

•Stations with multilevel platforms; and

•Stations and many peculiar designs (e.g. platforms that are staggered, non-parallel or strongly curved).

At a rail-rail crossing

Some stations have platforms that serve two train tracks that intersect at different levels. This is especially popular with Metro systems, but, it is also popular with surface-level railways to have different stations on each line, or no connectivity at all.

On public road

Rail services, as well as freight trains, run along the street, with tracks embedded in the pavement (it will be expected to operate in the same way as a tram). The station itself is in a structure some yards away from the platforms.

Level of the tracks

The road and railway will be at different levels. The platforms will often be raised or lowered relative to the station entrance. Elevated stations are more common.

The other design, where the entrance and platforms to the station are on the same level.

Location-specific

The specific geography of a line may result in the station being built below the level of the adjacent terrain (in a cut or in a tunnel).

If a station is in a tunnel, it's typically because the station beneath the city was designed to serve the city center, or because the station was initially constructed in a cutting that has subsequently been built over.

On a viaduct

A bridge composed of several small spans for crossing a valley or a gorge).

Similarly, many stations have elevated platforms that are usually one floor above the street, with trains reaching viaducts or embankments that are typically due to the region's geography.

The most basic arrangement, aside from single-track ones, is a pair of railroad tracks for both directions. A simple option between an island platform, or two different platforms beyond the tracks is most acceptable. The possibilities broaden with more tracks.

Geometry-specific platform layout:

•Triangular

•Vee (open triangle)

•With platforms on either side of level crossing

•With or on balloon loop

•Terminus and reversal

•Island platform

Platform height has an influence on the design of the station layout. Broad platforms are common with high-level platforms following British tradition, with large track centres when island platforms are established. Connection to the inner platforms is usually via subways and footbridges. Usually, platforms are long and narrow with low-level platforms as in North America. Normally there is one platform on either side of each track, although access to the inner platforms is at grade via a pedestrian crossing.

Typically, subway systems have platforms of high level for easy access to the trains. Trains may be mounted on high or low platforms and often on internal stairs have folding stairs or "trap doors" to accommodate both high and low platforms. Since wider gauge trains usually have a larger car body and a higher train floor than narrow gauge trains, they may share low-level platforms but may not be able to do so with high-level platforms.

Terminal facilities

Typical passenger train terminal facilities that can be seen are:

Ticket counter/ ticketing machines
Food/ drink vending machines
Toilets
Platforms
Taxi/ bus stops
Luggage carts
Lifts/ elevators
Seater
Information board

Other important aspect:

Accessibility for people with disabilities is mandated by law in some countries.

Considerations includes: elevator or ramp access to all platforms, matching platform height to train floors, making wheelchair lifts available when platforms do not match vehicle floors, accessible toilets and etc.

Structural effect of rail terminal :

Adjacency - Hotels, retail outlets, restaurants and offices are usually in close proximity with a good share of their function attributed to the presence of the terminal.

Accessibility - The more reliant the user is on the rail terminal the more likely sites with high accessibility to the facility will be preferred.

Network - Reflection of a regional urban system with increasing intercity commercial and social interactions.

Extrinsic factors in building terminal.

Physical geography - Consider the geology of its regions such as mountains and water.

Human geography - Rail transport systems affect human geography. A terminal built outside of the city can help in increasing the number of commuters and cause it to become a dormitory town. Example: Tibet (Train service from Qinghai - Tibet)

Historical factor - Terminal used for purposes they were not designed for. Due to the changes in human geography. Example: Tanjung Pagar Terminal, Singapore (i.e., close train operation in 2011).

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