Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Amtrak Setback Platform Gap Mitigation Program 

Access Board RVAAC

Thursday April 10, 2014 
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

 Shared Use Track; Passenger and Freight:

 In a shared rail situation, the host railroad or other title III entity owns the rail and right-of-way and is able to dictate how the 

rail is used and the setback distance, for a given height, for any boarding platforms

 To provide a level boarding type solution at these stations, platforms must be “setback” to 9 feet from centerline of track

 The gap mitigating solution will mitigate the setback platform gap to the 5 feet 7 inch from center line of track, when 

deployed. This is the setback currently specified by the FRA for 48 inch ATR level boarding platforms; 15 inch ATR 

platforms setback at 5 foot 5 inch from centerline of track

 The gap mitigating solution will leave a 6-7 inch gap between the face of the deployed platform and the side of the 

car/boarding door/floor. The 6-7 inch horizontal gap is necessary to enable the train to be “re-spotted” without stowing the 

GAP device

Problem Statement

At platform locations where the right-of-way is not publically (and/or Amtrak) owned, and/or passenger only traffic 

does not exist and freight traffic is directly adjacent to a given platform, a platform with an elevation above 8 inch 

ATR, is required to be setback up to 9 foot from centerline of track by the property owners (host RR, etc.) 

If a setback platform is placed at 9 foot from centerline of track, there is a 48 inch gap (approximate) between an 

Amtrak revenue car and the face of the setback platform. 

FRA requires a 48 inch ATR level boarding platform to be placed at 5 foot 7 inch from centerline of track so the 

GAP mitigation/elimination program has selected 5 foot 7 inch as the distance from the deployed setback platform 

face, to the centerline of track. This standard gap, will allow a train to be repositioned without stowing the GAP 

mitigation/elimination device. 
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

 GAP solution un-deployed; 48 inch gap 

 GAP solution deployed; 6-7 inch gap 

 Note: bridgeplates would still be needed to 

board /alight a person using a wheeled 

mobility device

6”

9’-0”

5’-7”

Shared Use Track: Passenger and Freight:
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

• Amtrak Gap Mitigation Program Objectives

 Fulfill all the specifications in the Design Requirement Specification (DRS) for 

all systems to be delivered.

 Deliver a modular self contained GAP mitigation system that readily integrates 

into newly developed and built setback platforms at shared use stations. The 

system will mitigate the gap between the train and the setback platform 

 Due to Amtrak’s level boarding policy; GAP mitigation device will be required at 

all Amtrak stations with ridership greater than 7,500 passengers per year, 

where Amtrak has a sole or shared ADA obligation; 202 stations total 

 The gap mitigating device is intended to be used by any passenger who 

chooses to use the setback platform rather than climbing stairs or making a 

large step to board and alight.

 Program focus on safety, cost and durability (30 year life) as major design 

deliverables.
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Goals

Amtrak Gap Mitigating Platform 

• Amtrak Gap Mitigation Program

 In addition to developing the gap mitigating solution RLE is designing and 

developing state-of-the-art bridge plates for all Amtrak revenue trains (single 

level and bi-level cars) and a ramp system for bi-level cars to improve boarding 

and alighting of passengers with disabilities and to improve how Amtrak 

employees use these devices.
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

DRS Timing 

Full Program Timing

Current Phase Under Contract

May be able to compress timing here 

Phase to install 10

CDR Phase Under 

Contract with RLE

CDR Phase Under Contract with RLE

11/11/2013 3/31/2017

1/1/2014 4/1/2014 7/1/2014 10/1/2014 1/1/2015 4/1/2015 7/1/2015 10/1/2015 1/1/2016 4/1/2016 7/1/2016 10/1/2016 1/1/2017

11/11/2013 - 9/30/2014

Concept Design Release (CDR)

11/11/2013 - 4/10/2014

Elapsed Project Time

10/1/2014 - 9/30/2015

Preliminary Design Release (PDR)

10/1/2015 - 9/30/2016

Detailed Design Release (DDR)

11/11/2013 - 4/11/2014

22 Weeks Elapsed

10/1/2016 - 3/31/2017

Post DDR
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Shuttle Table Proposed Operation

Train Arrives at Station
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Shuttle Table Proposed Operation

Boarding Passengers
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Shuttle Table Proposed Operation

Conductor Retracts and Stows Shuttle Table

Play Video Clip #1 Play Video Clip #2
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Proposed Construction Methods

Super Structure – Modular Build and Delivered
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Proposed Construction Methods

Final Installation and Calibration
Amtrak GAP Mitigation/Elimination Program

Completed Setback Platform Rendering