Cross-platform interchange
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A cross-platform interchange is a type of interchange between different lines in a metro system. The term originates with the London Underground; such layouts exist in other networks but are not commonly so named. In the United States, it is often referred to as simply a "transfer".
It occurs in a system with island platforms, with a single platform in between the two directions of travel, or two side platforms between the tracks, connected by level corridors. Passengers do not need to move to another platform level for transfer, thus increasing the efficiency of commuting. Building a cross-platform interchange may be costly due to the complexity of railtrack alignment, especially so if the railway operators insistently arrange their track without flat crossings. A common 2-station cross-platform interchange configuration consists of two similar directions of two different lines sharing an island platform in one station, and two opposite directions of two different lines sharing an island platform in the other station.
[edit] New York City
The epitomic example of cross-platform interchanges is the New York City Subway. New York's subway system is primarily made up of 4-track lines with local and express service. Cross-platform interchanges exist in numerous locations throughout the city and generally allow for cross-platform transfer between express train and local train service. Express trains run on the inner tracks and bypass local-only stations, while local trains run on the outer tracks and stop at every station. Express stations typically have a middle platform between the express and local tracks allowing passengers to quickly switch trains. In addition to the very common express-local interchanges, New York also has several cross-platform interchanges between totally distinct lines that do not share a 4-track right-of-way. A notable example of this is the Queensboro Plaza station in which a same-directional cross-platform transfer exists between the IRT 7 train and BMT N train lines.
[edit] Other Examples
In London's deep-level tube network, these usually occur in pairs for both directions of two lines. This allows for extremely quick and convenient interchange. The effect is that the two lines, despite having completely separate operation, can be treated by passengers as branches of a single network. Examples include: Finsbury Park (Piccadilly and Victoria Lines), Oxford Circus (Bakerloo and Victoria Lines) and Euston tube station (Northern and Victoria Lines).
The Mass Rapid Transit system in Singapore features a similar two-station transfer arrangement to allow quick transfers between North South and East West lines. Both City Hall MRT Station and Raffles Place MRT Station feature double underground island platforms stacked atop the other, allowing commuters to switch trains to a different line by walking across the same platform at the appropriate station. Jurong East MRT Station has a less complicated arrangement, with the terminating rail for the North South line aligned between that of the East West line, allowing commuters to alight and board simultaneously on either side.
Hong Kong's MTR is another example, with the majority of its interchange stations being of the cross-platform design. In addition, three of its stations feature an inverse cross-platform interchange, which allow passengers travelling in opposite directions to change trains without leaving the island platform. Moreover there are 2 sets of combined use of 2 cross-platform interchange stations in MTR.
For example the Tiu Keng Leng Station and its neighbour Yau Tong Station provide the cross-platform interchange between Tseung Kwan O Line and Kwun Tong Line, in which the later route terminates at Tiu Keng Leng Station as shown in the diagram.
[edit] See also
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