Alternative to having to paint doors in contrasting colours for disability regs?

[JKF]

Moderator note: Split from

SE Trains Have Licensed the NSE branding

I noticed that on the Intellectual Property Office site, the Network SouthEast branding has been licensed by SE Trains Limited. https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00001276995 https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00001437760 Recorded licences...

www.railforums.co.uk

I’ve often wondered if there was some sort of alternative to having to paint doors in contrasting colours for disability regs?

Something like outlining them in LED lights that are illuminated at stations (although I guess a risk of power interruption).

It does spoil the ‘go faster stripes’ on a lot of stock and is very evident here. And I do understand how these things are important and outweigh the aesthetic preferences of train cranks like me!

 

[The exile]

I guess a bit off topic, but I’ve often wondered if there was some sort of alternative to having to paint doors in contrasting colours for disability regs, something like outlining them in an LED lights that are illuminated at stations (although I guess a risk of power interruption). It does spoil the ‘go faster stripes’ on a lot of stock and is very evident here. And I do understand how these things are important and outweigh the aesthetic preferences of train cranks like me!

Especially as the contrast is on the doors themselves (which can’t therefore be seen when they are open) rather than the surrounds. Surely the thing that really needs highlighting is the external button to open the doors?

 

[JamesT]

Especially as the contrast is on the doors themselves (which can’t therefore be seen when they are open) rather than the surrounds. Surely the thing that really needs highlighting is the external button to open the doors?

If the doors are open then there's a fairly obvious gap in the side of the train. The doors contrasting makes it easier to aim for the correct bit of the train where the door is, which merely highlighting the button wouldn't do.

 

[The exile]

If the doors are open then there's a fairly obvious gap in the side of the train. The doors contrasting makes it easier to aim for the correct bit of the train where the door is, which merely highlighting the button wouldn't do.

OK - but only where a train is already at the platform but with the doors closed. The biggest safety issue must surely be ensuring that the gap between carriages can’t be mistaken for an open door (so bright internal lighting /flooring necessary).

 

[physics34]

I guess a bit off topic, but I’ve often wondered if there was some sort of alternative to having to paint doors in contrasting colours for disability regs, something like outlining them in an LED lights that are illuminated at stations (although I guess a risk of power interruption). It does spoil the ‘go faster stripes’ on a lot of stock and is very evident here. And I do understand how these things are important and outweigh the aesthetic preferences of train cranks like me!

Exactly what I thought. I'd always challenge the notion that train doors being a different colour being a big enough help for people with reduced visibility, as I'd say it's a risk for them to be on a station platform on their own in the first place?

 

[ThirteenArches]

it's a risk for them to be on a station platform on their own in the first place?

And people with pushchairs or prams or Parkinson's or off to a party ... in fact almost anyone who really needs to use the railway because they can't get about by other means.

Making the door button flash would help. And sound bleepers for those who can't see at all, but perhaps they are an even less acceptable risk. When travelling alone, my blind mate used to stand with his white stick prominently displayed, which would usually encourage someone to take him to the door. Occasionally someone would misunderstand the cue, and slip a quid into his hand and bugger off in embarrassment.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Merseyrail has LEDs around the door frame (visble when open), green for it being safe to board, red for when the hustle alarms have started sounding. But I'm not sure there needs to be an alternative - after all, it works fine and even adapted classic liveries like BR blue and Network SouthEast look fine with contrasting doors.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I’d say trains with liveries continuing over the doors look very dated anyway. The contrasting doors I find makes trains look more modern.

 

[D365]

Paint has very little that can go wrong. Do we really need to add more electronic features?

 

[43096]

I’d say trains with liveries continuing over the doors look very dated anyway. The contrasting doors I find makes trains look more modern.

I'd suggest that it is because it is what you are used to, rather than anything else.

Interesting to note that the European standards don't require the entire door to be a contrasting colour. DB's latest ICE units have a thick black line round the door edge to indicate the door and that allows the white with red stripe livery to be carried over the door.

 

[vuzzeho]

I'm fine with it. A good design can make contrasting doors look great - they look good on VTWC, NSE2025, and look better on the BR Blue 455 than plain blue doors did. I'd be interested in seeing the study that suggested contrasting doors are better for visibility - something obvious but it probably needed a scientific study to become official.