Idea: Inner suburban trains - station dwell times

[otomous]

We don’t do it because of safety. The rule book states we must be at a complete stop before releasing the doors for one thing. But because drivers (and guards where involved) can make mistakes - stop shorts, overshoots, and wrong side releases), most TOCs encourage drivers to pause before opening to make sure all is well. I believe SE request that their drivers physically go to the other side of the cab to release doors on the offside. Far better to avoid incidents in the first place, not least for passengers who may step into thin air, but also keeps drivers on track which prevents shortages. Once we have more comprehensive automation we can have faster door releases.

 

[Ianno87]

Not any more at SE.

Just got a Networker from London Bridge to Charing Cross. Doors released in 4 seconds tops at all 3 stations (mix of left and right sides)

 

[jon0844]

It'd be a challenge to have them open slower.

Do remember that for some time after their introduction the doors on a 700 could take 5 or 10 minutes to open in the core!

 

[TEW]

I'm sure at least one SWT/SWR guard has posted that their Desiro doors CAN be opened as soon as the train stops, there is no longer a rule that the guard must get off and check the platform first, as long as he is sure that the train length is properly positioned for the relevant platform.

That is correct for all SWR trains. The time taken for the doors to be released depends on a number of factors but in my experience there is often no real wait.

 

[najaB]

It should be possible for each door mechanism to detect that a platform is adjacent before opening.

Great, add *another* thing to break.