[solardev]

> As seen in the timeline graphic, allowing the step to deploy and retract while the train is in motion would remove this wasted dwell time.

It's interesting... I wonder if extending the step while the train is in motion has the potential to knock people down who's currently on the platform and standing too close to the train.

> since the step itself does not extend over the platform (it reaches only 63.5 inches from vehicle center line when fully extended) there can be no hazard to passengers

I dunno about that. What if they had an umbrella or grocery bag or such dangling over the platform edge?

----

Maybe the more relevant question is how was it done before? Did the old train also have slowly-extending steps? How is it handled in other countries with functional train networks?

[deathanatos]

> Maybe the more relevant question is how was it done before? Did the old train also have slowly-extending steps?

Fixed, non-moving stairs. IIRC, the bombardier model was 2 steps (one step up to a metal stair, one more step into car) and fairly easy, and the older gallery models were a bunch of stairs and a pretty steep climb.

> How is it handled in other countries with functional train networks?

Level boarding, no? IIRC NYC's commuter rail is level boarding within The City (but not further out like CT) and, e.g., the more subway-y line of the T in Boston are level boarding, but those are subway. (I don't recall the MBTA's commuter rail, but I suspect it isn't, or isn't everywhere.)

[creer]

They are ingenious, and can make even level boarding slow. See Muni.

[ak217]

The delay observed happens after the train has stopped. The delay is due to laggy software and can be eliminated without extending anything from the train while it's moving.

The old trains have no moving steps.

[solardev]

The video is showing part of that delay, but the blog entry is explicitly suggesting that the step start extending while the train is still in moving (at < 5 mph):

> This can be fixed in software. As seen in the timeline graphic, allowing the step to deploy and retract while the train is in motion would remove this wasted dwell time.

[vasco]

> I dunno about that. What if they had an umbrella or grocery bag or such dangling over the platform edge?

If it's over the edge the train itself will take their arm with it.

[solardev]

Per the video, the rest of the train is a relatively smooth, consistently flat surface: https://x.com/clem_tillier/status/1822833211019546624

The step does stick out a little more.