Reading Station Escalators

[swt_passenger]

Overall the build was more about design than how it would be used...

The 312 page 'design and access statement' suggests very much otherwise. There is a large amount of detail about all the pedestrian flows, and accompanying explanations of the various compromises which force the the transfer deck's position with respect to overall site constraints.

It also had to be 'buildable' while keeping the station open, for a start. If they'd been able to knock down the last remaining 'heritage building' the solution could have been completely different - but they didn't...

 

[LexyBoy]

BBC reporting today on the "accident blackspot" that is the escalators at Reading:

Extra safety measures have been put in place at Reading train station after dozens of injuries on escalators.
Two passengers suffered dislocated shoulders while others sustained cuts and bruises between 1 April 2013 and 6 July this year.
During that period, 138 people were injured, with 37 taken to hospital.

NR blame "user error" and plan to put even more yellow signs up. I wonder how this compares to other stations? Surely if it's significantly higher per escalator journey then it's a problem of design.

 

[route:oxford]

BBC reporting today on the "accident blackspot" that is the escalators at Reading:



NR blame "user error" and plan to put even more yellow signs up. I wonder how this compares to other stations? Surely if it's significantly higher per escalator journey then it's a problem of design.

People can be really careless on escaltors. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to shout "move" and push people out of the way when they decide to stop and gawp around at the top or bottom of them.

The worst is when department stores (or stations) permit chuggers to stand at Escalators.

 

[HowardGWR]

People can be really careless on escaltors. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to shout "move" and push people out of the way when they decide to stop and gawp around at the top or bottom of them.

The worst is when department stores (or stations) permit chuggers to stand at Escalators.

Thanks for the link. It's very interesting. I am of the opinion that escalators are simply too difficult for some people to be able to use safely. However, it was ever so, and I can't think that Reading's are any different to anywhere else.

If anyone can come up with anything specific to Reading, I'm sure the station management would love to hear. I found them very acceptably well-designed.

 

[Andrewlong]

Personally I find the new Reading station a joy to use. I've never had any problems.

The large transfer deck is much better than multiple bridges and there is loads of room.

The transfer deck was never going to be draught proof, no station is. Unless they start introducing platform edge doors (and trains with the same door positions) then platforms can not be sealed off from the elements unless the whole station is underground.

Stations will always be exposed to the wind.

Totally agree. Those complaining need to visit large stations with new footbridges. If you think Reading is bad, could I suggest you visit East Croydon. Steep stairs, no escalators and slippery when wet.

 

[lincolnshire]

Totally agree. Those complaining need to visit large stations with new footbridges. If you think Reading is bad, could I suggest you visit East Croydon. Steep stairs, no escalators and slippery when wet.

Another rebuilt station with a lot of steps to the footbridge is Wakefield Westgate, when it was rebuilt the footbridge seems exceptionally high above the railway, the answer been to comply with new bridges over electrified lines I would guess. When you compare Wakefield Westgate station with Reading station, I think Wakefield was designed by the same people who design Aldi or Lidl supermarkets and Reading was done by the designers of Waitrose supermarkets.

Looks like Reading is going to get a woman to tell the passengers about safety on the escalators, do you think the woman from Kings Cross maybe on the move then?

Is all the escalators working yet then?

 

[swt_passenger]

Looks like Reading is going to get a woman to tell the passengers about safety on the escalators, do you think the woman from Kings Cross maybe on the move then?

Happened already, ages ago now...

 

[Andrewlong]

Surprised there aren't people complaining about getting vertigo when ascending the lengthy escalator on the northern side of Reading station!

 

[fgwrich]

Surprised there aren't people complaining about getting vertigo when ascending the lengthy escalator on the northern side of Reading station!

You should try the stairs then! I'm fit and healthy, play my Rugby twice a week yet even I find those stairs a little vertigo inducing. They take forever and feel rather shallow.

(I did decide to do them one day just for the hell of it than taking the usual lazy route!)

 

[Tio Terry]

Not quite sure if this is the place to post this but I cant find anywhere else - Mods please move if I'm in the wrong place.

Speeds through Reading Station and over the Viaduct changed today, has anybody noticed the change?

This means that the Reading Station Redevelopment Project has come to a (practical) end, only the paperwork and snagging to complete. It's been a very successful project, delivered on time and under budget. Bet that's not in tomorrows press!

 

[jon0844]

"On time, under budget". I've heard that rather too much of late.

STOP IT! It's not helping people argue against HS2.

 

[Tio Terry]

"On time, under budget". I've heard that rather too much of late.

STOP IT! It's not helping people argue against HS2.

Why would you want to argue against HS2? It's the right thing to do.

 

[swt_passenger]

Not quite sure if this is the place to post this but I cant find anywhere else - Mods please move if I'm in the wrong place.

Speeds through Reading Station and over the Viaduct changed today, has anybody noticed the change?

This means that the Reading Station Redevelopment Project has come to a (practical) end, only the paperwork and snagging to complete. It's been a very successful project, delivered on time and under budget. Bet that's not in tomorrows press!

Your posts last week about the speed increase were made in the Reading Milestones thread here: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=80190&highlight=Reading&page=26

 

[sushiuk]

I was at Reading on Saturday returning from a holiday in Cornwall with heavy luggage.
Many people went up the escalator with luggage (despite the signs saying not to) as the queues for the lifts were long. When I got in a lift they did seem on the small side only taking 4 (or 5 at a squeeze) with luggage and there were 2 lifts.
So I would suggest that there is a design flaw in that the lifts are too small and this may explain the escalator accidents.

 

[fgwrich]

And Readings Escalators have ended up back in the news. I've noticed more of them being fairly regularly closed off for maintenance as of late as well.

Reading train station escalator fall leaves 'pile of bodies'

6 January 2016

Last year extra safety measures were put in place at the station after dozens of injuries on escalators

Rail commuters ended up in a "pile of bodies" after falling from an escalator at Reading train station.

Up to 40 people were climbing the stationary escalator at about 07:30 GMT when it began to move backwards, commuter Tim Barbrook said.

Some of the roughly 15 people who fell said they sustained cuts and bruises. Network Rail is investigating.

Last year extra safety measures were put in place at the station after dozens of injuries on escalators.

Between April 2013 and July 2014, two passengers suffered dislocated shoulders while others sustained cuts and bruises.

Some of those involved took to Twitter to complain to Network Rail

Mr Barbrook, 36, from Streatley, said: "We were queuing to get up a stationary escalator on platform 15 to walk up what appeared to be a turned-off escalator.

"There were probably about 30-40 people on it with another 100 waiting at the bottom.

"The escalator started to move backwards and as a result about 10-15 people fell from the escalator to the bottom and there was a pile of bodies with some personal items like glasses trapped in the bottom.

"At one point I thought a lady's hair was trapped."

Jacob Griffiths said on Twitter he had sustained cuts and bruises to his legs "after being crushed by people falling".

Lara Whatling witnessed the fall which she described as "horrific", adding: "Escalator that was broken then started going backwards cos [sic] of weight".

The Queen was photographed on one of the station's escalators when she officially opened the revamped station in 2013

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-35241099

 

[Taunton]

Up to 40 people were climbing the stationary escalator at about 07:30 GMT when it began to move backwards, commuter Tim Barbrook said.

Some of the roughly 15 people who fell said they sustained cuts and bruises. Network Rail is investigating.

This can happen on escalators which are stopped when a large number of people are on them and their weight overcomes the inherent friction and starts to move the escalator downwards.

Escalator manufacturers are of course well aware of this and there is a safety locking device to prevent it. It is one of the options when you buy the escalator. If the station designer decided not to buy it to save costs, there should be some serious questions asked.

 

[swt_passenger]

This can happen on escalators which are stopped when a large number of people are on them and their weight overcomes the inherent friction and starts to move the escalator downwards.

Escalator manufacturers are of course well aware of this and there is a safety locking device to prevent it. It is one of the options when you buy the escalator. If the station designer decided not to buy it to save costs, there should be some serious questions asked.

Alternative possibility is that it is there and the staff forgot to apply it? Or it there and didn't operate automatically as designed?

 

[LexyBoy]

Whatever the cause, perhaps evidence that an over-reliance on escalators was poor design. A wider staircase (or even stairs with just an up escalator) would be better IMO.

Note also the "crowd of around 100 people" at the bottom of the escalator - this is a regular sight even when the escalators are working: not something one would expect of a station supposedly designed to cope with double the current passenger numbers.

 

[Taunton]

London Underground have long specified escalators with automatic mechanical locks as a matter of course.

 

[Paul180]

A stop escalator to start moving backwards with people on it sounds terrifying.
It reminds me of this video.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QbRa3e5lSos

 

[coppercapped]

Whatever the cause, perhaps evidence that an over-reliance on escalators was poor design. A wider staircase (or even stairs with just an up escalator) would be better IMO.

Note also the "crowd of around 100 people" at the bottom of the escalator - this is a regular sight even when the escalators are working: not something one would expect of a station supposedly designed to cope with double the current passenger numbers.

A crowd of 'about 100 people' is only about a coach full of passengers - it is well known that the trains that serve Reading are longer. 9 coach Crossrail trains can potentially dump a lot more passengers onto the platform. In view of the height of the over bridge, to avoid compromising the OHLE design, escalators are essential - the long stairs slow people up and are unusable by some.

The design issue is that the platforms should be cleared before the next train arrives and escalators are the best way to achieve this target. Banks of lifts, as are often seen in office blocks and hotels, also help but the perception is that they are slower and they tend to be less used. That the escalator was stationary is obviously a problem which should be fixed but there are also stairs to each of the island platforms as well as to both entrances. In fact there are escalators/stairs down to the platforms from both the eastern and western sides of the overbridge as well as a couple of lifts, so it is not inevitable that people have to use a stationary escalator.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

London Underground have long specified escalators with automatic mechanical locks as a matter of course.

If you have an up escalator and it's switched off, a parking brake would seem an essential feature. What is it with escalators ? It doesn't seem that many years that London Underground had immense problems rebuilding and replacing escalators, when they wanted to phase out all those with wood in the design.

 

[coppercapped]

If you have an up escalator and it's switched off, a parking brake would seem an essential feature. What is it with escalators ? It doesn't seem that many years that London Underground had immense problems rebuilding and replacing escalators, when they wanted to phase out all those with wood in the design.

The 'immense problems' were largely due to lack of easy access - escalators on the Underground tend to be, well, underground and contained in inclined shafts where the only way in is at either end. And getting in at the bottom with any equipment means it has to be shlepped down the shaft first...

 

[swt_passenger]

The 'immense problems' were largely due to lack of easy access - escalators on the Underground tend to be, well, underground and contained in inclined shafts where the only way in is at either end. And getting in at the bottom with any equipment means it has to be shlepped down the shaft first...

IIRC many of their escalators used non standard components as a result of this. I can well imagine that on the initial build much of the structural girder work and mounting brackets and such like would be fabricated on the job. 'Fit on site' to wherever the inclined shaft lining happens to be?

Modern manufacturing will almost certainly assume a standard clearance for access, standard 'angle' for escalators, and will default to standardised components assembled in a factory and installed by a massive crane. Most of which won't work in LU sites...

 

[Taunton]

If you have an up escalator and it's switched off, a parking brake would seem an essential feature.

Escalators are invariably bi-directional.

Until recent times it was common to provide just two. If one had a failure it would be stopped (locked) for people to walk down, while whichever was the good one would be run upwards. This of course made it not possible to work on the defective one during traffic hours. More recently HSE have had an issue with people being required to walk down stopped escalators.

 

[LexyBoy]

In view of the height of the over bridge, to avoid compromising the OHLE design, escalators are essential - the long stairs slow people up and are unusable by some.

All those people with big suitcases for example...

 

[mark-h]

Stationary escalators should not be used as staircases, their step height/depth is not good for climbing.

If possible there should always be a staircase next to the escalator so that failures can be worked on as soon as possible.

The London Underground practice of having 3 escalators in a bank allows one to fail without requiring the station to close. When all 3 are working they allow double the capacity in the peak direction.

----

Escalators in stations need to be robustly built, they are in use for a very high percentage of the day and are often exposed to more dirt and water than those in most other settings.

 

[BestWestern]

How long I wonder before the railway decides to ban escalators as they are simply too dangerous for rail passengers to use! And I'm only half joking... :roll:

I've always thought that one of the few (perhaps even the only?) redeeming feature of the otherwise generally awful Newport rebuild was the provision of large, spiralled staircases down to the platforms. This seems to allow for large groups to flow far more easily up the stairs than the straight narrow design seen at Reading. Ideally I'd have thought a similar concept, perhaps spiralling upwards around a shaft containing a decent sized lift or two, would be an effective crowd shifter here? A canny designer could have ensured that we ended up with something significantly better than the Newport 'creature', of course...

All of this fades into insignificance though compared to the real issue at Reading - the use of that bloody awful term 'transfer deck'. Please, spare us!

 

[Class 170101]

Underground escalators are specially built to suit the 'harsh' environment they are in and being used for up to 20 hours daily.

There is a safety requirement for escalators to be working in the up direction but not in the opposite so technically no one should be 'climbing' them.

 

[VP185]

When the escalators aren't working at Reading, or have been stopped, if I remember rightly they display a 'No Entry' sign on the digital display.
If I'm correct, I wonder if passengers could have their claim for injury rejected on the basis they ignored a warning sign?