Platvormivahe

Platvormivahe is a term used in railway and public transport contexts to describe the horizontal clearance between the edge of a platform and the side of a train when the train is stopped at the platform. It is a key design and operating parameter that affects boarding safety, accessibility, and passenger comfort. The concept also encompasses the alignment between the platform edge and the train doors, as well as the consistency of this alignment across different train sets and service sleeves.

The size of platvormivahe varies with platform height relative to train floor, train door position, track geometry, and station alignment. A gap that is too large or irregular can pose safety risks, particularly for children, elderly passengers, and people with mobility impairments or luggage. Misalignment can also hinder level boarding and cause delays if passengers need assistance or if doors fail to close properly.

Mitigation and management strategies include designing platforms and trains to achieve closer, more uniform clearances; implementing level boarding where feasible; using gap fillers, ramps, or other automatic devices on trains; installing platform edge tactile paving and clear passenger information to improve awareness. Regular alignment checks, maintenance of platform surfaces, and adherence to safety standards are used to minimize platvormivahe. Standards and guidelines from railway authorities typically specify acceptable tolerances and testing procedures to ensure safe and reliable boarding across stations and services.