New platform feature just the start of Cross River Rail’s inclusive design legacy

News

20 Jul 2023

A rubber filler installed on platforms at the first station completed as part of Cross River Rail works is just one example already demonstrating the project’s commitment to accessibility and creating a legacy of inclusive design.

Yeronga is the first station on the Queensland Rail network with the new feature – also referred to as “rubber fingers” – to reduce the gap between the platform and trains.

The filler makes it easier for people to board or disembark trains, especially customers with accessibility needs, significantly reducing the likelihood of slipping between the train and platform.

A power-drive wheelchair boarding a train at Yeronga. The “rubber fingers” on the platform edge meet up with the train door entrance to form level boarding surface.

A power-drive wheelchair boarding a train at Yeronga. The “rubber fingers” on the platform edge meet up with the train door entrance to form level boarding surface.

Cross River Rail’s new above ground stations will include a range of other accessibility innovations and features, including braille and tactile station maps, through lifts, accessible parking, hearing loops and even full-length mirrors in bathrooms rather than at waist height.

Meanwhile, lessons learned through delivering the above ground stations will inform final designs for the underground stations, which are already set to benefit from features such as braille and tactile signage, high contrast surfaces and coat hooks in amenities installed at waist height for wheelchair users.

The project’s Accessibility Reference Group (ARG) has played a key role in station design, through regular meetings, site visits and feedback since May 2020.

The group is made up of representatives from the disability sector and individuals with lived experience across a range of areas, including physical, cognitive, sensory, life stage and situational disabilities.

Members of Cross River Rail’s Accessibility Reference Group.

Members of Cross River Rail’s Accessibility Reference Group.

ARG member David Saxberg said it was important for people with lived experience of disability to have in station design.

“I’ve have been totally blind since the age of seven, and features like the platform gap filler will be hugely beneficial – not just for me, but for everyone,” Mr Saxberg said.

“The purpose of the Accessibility Reference Group is to ensure that any accessibility issues are addressed in a collaborative way so the whole experience works for everyone.

“My ambition is that Cross River Rail’s stations both above and underground are accessible and inclusive for all.”

More information about Cross River Rail’s commitment to accessibility can be found on the project’s dedicated web page.

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High Contrast Captions

                                                    Descriptive Transcript



Audio
Visual

[Music plays]
[CREATING INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE STATIONS]
On a table are plans of a new train station.

[Music plays]
A 3D model of a train station is shown.
 

[Music plays]
Tanya: The Fairfield to Salisbury station rebuilds are completely overhauling the existing stations.
The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
[Cross River Rail logo
Tanya Golitschenko
Lead Architect – Cross River Rail RIS Project with Unity]

[Music plays]
 
It has been a huge process of engaging with multiple stakeholders,
Zoomed in view of narrator

[Music plays]
 
to really understand the needs of the station and design those elements in.
 
Yeronga station viewed from the approach to the station from the accessible car park on Lake Street.
An older man using a power-drive wheelchair travels along the footpath towards the station entrance passing a  kiss ‘ n ‘ ride sign on the right..

[Music plays]
 
Cobi: It was really important for Cross River Rail to go beyond compliance in the inclusion of accessible features in our stations.
Second narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her is a timber ledge with a lamp and a plant.
[Cross River Rail logo
Cobi Murphy – Senior Manager Customer & Network Change]

[Music plays]
 
Because the legislation that is out there
The front of Yeronga station.
A man using a wheelchair leaves the footpath and travels along the covered station walkway parallel to the footpath and adjacent to the Kiss ‘ n ‘ ride, there is a loading zone sign shown.

[Music plays]
 
is around 20 years old for public transport.
Signs outside the Yeronga station: Kiss ‘n’ ride and Translink Yeronga station

[Music plays]
 
And you know, the world has changed since then.
Assisted boarding sign

[Music plays]
 
We have to make sure that our stations actually reflect the world that we live in now.
 
View from the station platform looking up at a monitor suspended from the platform ceiling showing timing information and a list of stations, there is a reflection of a train arriving at the station. The overpass walkway in the background.
A Platform 1 and Way Out (Lake Street) sign are also suspended from the platform ceiling further along the platform.
The train overhead lines and platform access are also shown.
Train arrives at the station.

[Music plays]
 
David: The features that are being implemented are going to benefit everyone.
The one feature that I really like and I have seen at Yeronga
Third narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle.
There is a plant to the side of the narrator.
[Cross River Rail logo
David Saxberg – Accessibility Reference Group Member]

[Music plays]
 
Is the platform filler gap.
Edge of platform showing platform filler gap and train tracks below.

[Music plays]
 
It is a nice transition from the platform to the train so no one can fall.
A train is at the station and its doors are open. A person using an electric wheelchair exits the train using the gap fillers, the platform is flush with the train door.

My name is David Saxberg,
My name is David Saxberg,

31 years old, totally blind since the age of seven.
David Saxberg is walking on the station platform with a guide dog beside him. They are walking towards the open doors of a train. Other people are in the background.
David enters the train and turns around.

I am on the Accessibility Reference Group for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.
Still image of david sitting at a large table with other people sitting beside him. There are papers on the table. David is speaking.

The purpose of an accessibility reference group
David Saxberg is sitting in a chair, on an angle, with a plant beside him.

is to ensure that any accessibility issues are addressed
Still image of a group of four people standing. Two of the people are holding white canes. One person is using Auslan. The other person is behind looking away.

so the whole experience works for everyone.
There is a group of 9 people, two are using white canes, one person is using a wheelchair. The group are boarding and exiting a train to test the features using a life-sized model of a train at a testing facility.
 

My ambition is to see all Cross River Rail stations, both above and underground, accessible and inclusive for all.
David Saxberg is sitting in a chair, on an angle, with a plant beside him.

[Train brakes.]
A train is approaching a station platform. A man using a manual wheelchair is waiting on the platform.

[Music plays]
 
Tanya: We are raising the complete length of the existing platforms
The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
 

[Music plays]
 
 
to a high level to reduce the step gap from the train to the platform.
A man using a manual wheelchair moves towards the entrance of a train and boards the train, showing the station platform is flush to the train and showing the gap fillers..

 
[Music plays]
 
We are adding new lifts and stairs
A man using a power-drive wheelchair is entering a lift at a train station.

[Music plays]
 
to access every platform from both street entries.
View of the platform at a train station showing the Platform 1 and Way Out sign suspended from the ceiling, then panning across the station overpass.

[Music plays]
 
There’s better access in terms of vehicular parking,
The streetscape outside the station showing the accessible parking.

[Music plays]
 
 
drop-off zones across the stations also.
A taxi pulls into the Kiss’n’ride drop off zone outside the station to a waiting man.

[Music plays]
 
The technology is being upgraded
The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
 

[Music plays]
 
to make the stations more accessible
David Saxberg and his guide dog approach a lift.

[Music plays]
 
The inside of a lift. Showing a through lift, a dome mirror, handrails, and large lift buttons with braille and raised signage.

[Music plays]
We have brought together
Close-up of a digital display in the lift with red text displaying platform information scrolling across the screen.

[Music plays]
a lot of audio visual technology.
 
Close up of a Hearing Loop sign with braille and duress button [Help Phone, Press Button For 5 Seconds And Wait], large go button, and braille signage.

[Music plays]
 
We have used hearing loops more extensively
Priority Seating Area signage and seating on the station platform.

[Music plays]
 
across the stations.
Close-up of Emergency Help Phone and Assistance required phone   signage in text and braille directing to buttons.

[Music plays]
 
We have also included Braille maps at the station entries.
David Saxberg is standing in the train station with his hand running across a Braille map. He is holding the lead to his guide dog.

[Music plays]
 
David: I feel that tactile maps
Close-up of Braille map showing Fairfield Road.

[Music plays]
 
are really good because
David Saxberg is sitting in a chair, on an angle, with a plant beside him.

[Music plays]
 
you get a great layout of the station, and then you can understand it in theory,
The Yeronga station Braille map.

[Music plays]
 
and then go and put it into practice.
Close-up of Braille map: showing key identifiers for You Are Here, Help Phone and Accessible Boarding Points.

[Music plays[
 
Tanya: All of this was done in consultation with
The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
 

[Music plays]
 
community members
A group of 18 people standing and sitting together on a station platform. The people are all looking at the camera and smiling. Two people are using wheelchairs and a man has a guide dog.

[Music plays]
 
and people with diverse access needs to really understand their lived experience.
Still image of a group of 25 people all facing the camera and smiling on a station platform. Four are using power-drive wheelchairs.

[Music plays]
 
and understand the different technologies that will assist them in their journey.
The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
Fade to black.
 

[Music plays]
 
Cobi: Understanding what the barriers are
Second narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her is a timber ledge with a lamp and a plant.
 

[Music plays]
 
you know, and mitigating those barriers is our number one goal.
Cross River Rail will be
Aerial flyover of Yeronga station

[Music plays]
 
a step-change in making sure that people are included in this public transport system.
Second narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her is a timber ledge with a lamp and a plant.
 

[Music plays]
A white search Cross River Rail animated graphic appears over a black background.



                                                

Audio	Visual
[Music plays]	[CREATING INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE STATIONS] On a table are plans of a new train station.
[Music plays]	A 3D model of a train station is shown.
[Music plays] Tanya: The Fairfield to Salisbury station rebuilds are completely overhauling the existing stations.	The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space. [Cross River Rail logo Tanya Golitschenko Lead Architect – Cross River Rail RIS Project with Unity]
[Music plays] It has been a huge process of engaging with multiple stakeholders,	Zoomed in view of narrator
[Music plays] to really understand the needs of the station and design those elements in.	Yeronga station viewed from the approach to the station from the accessible car park on Lake Street. An older man using a power-drive wheelchair travels along the footpath towards the station entrance passing a kiss ‘ n ‘ ride sign on the right..
[Music plays] Cobi: It was really important for Cross River Rail to go beyond compliance in the inclusion of accessible features in our stations.	Second narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her is a timber ledge with a lamp and a plant. [Cross River Rail logo Cobi Murphy – Senior Manager Customer & Network Change]
[Music plays] Because the legislation that is out there	The front of Yeronga station. A man using a wheelchair leaves the footpath and travels along the covered station walkway parallel to the footpath and adjacent to the Kiss ‘ n ‘ ride, there is a loading zone sign shown.
[Music plays] is around 20 years old for public transport.	Signs outside the Yeronga station: Kiss ‘n’ ride and Translink Yeronga station
[Music plays] And you know, the world has changed since then.	Assisted boarding sign
[Music plays] We have to make sure that our stations actually reflect the world that we live in now.	View from the station platform looking up at a monitor suspended from the platform ceiling showing timing information and a list of stations, there is a reflection of a train arriving at the station. The overpass walkway in the background. A Platform 1 and Way Out (Lake Street) sign are also suspended from the platform ceiling further along the platform. The train overhead lines and platform access are also shown. Train arrives at the station.
[Music plays] David: The features that are being implemented are going to benefit everyone. The one feature that I really like and I have seen at Yeronga	Third narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. There is a plant to the side of the narrator. [Cross River Rail logo David Saxberg – Accessibility Reference Group Member]
[Music plays] Is the platform filler gap.	Edge of platform showing platform filler gap and train tracks below.
[Music plays] It is a nice transition from the platform to the train so no one can fall.	A train is at the station and its doors are open. A person using an electric wheelchair exits the train using the gap fillers, the platform is flush with the train door.
My name is David Saxberg,	My name is David Saxberg,
31 years old, totally blind since the age of seven.	David Saxberg is walking on the station platform with a guide dog beside him. They are walking towards the open doors of a train. Other people are in the background. David enters the train and turns around.
I am on the Accessibility Reference Group for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.	Still image of david sitting at a large table with other people sitting beside him. There are papers on the table. David is speaking.
The purpose of an accessibility reference group	David Saxberg is sitting in a chair, on an angle, with a plant beside him.
is to ensure that any accessibility issues are addressed	Still image of a group of four people standing. Two of the people are holding white canes. One person is using Auslan. The other person is behind looking away.
so the whole experience works for everyone.	There is a group of 9 people, two are using white canes, one person is using a wheelchair. The group are boarding and exiting a train to test the features using a life-sized model of a train at a testing facility.
My ambition is to see all Cross River Rail stations, both above and underground, accessible and inclusive for all.	David Saxberg is sitting in a chair, on an angle, with a plant beside him.
[Train brakes.]	A train is approaching a station platform. A man using a manual wheelchair is waiting on the platform.
[Music plays] Tanya: We are raising the complete length of the existing platforms	The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
[Music plays] to a high level to reduce the step gap from the train to the platform.	A man using a manual wheelchair moves towards the entrance of a train and boards the train, showing the station platform is flush to the train and showing the gap fillers..
[Music plays] We are adding new lifts and stairs	A man using a power-drive wheelchair is entering a lift at a train station.
[Music plays] to access every platform from both street entries.	View of the platform at a train station showing the Platform 1 and Way Out sign suspended from the ceiling, then panning across the station overpass.
[Music plays] There’s better access in terms of vehicular parking,	The streetscape outside the station showing the accessible parking.
[Music plays] drop-off zones across the stations also.	A taxi pulls into the Kiss’n’ride drop off zone outside the station to a waiting man.
[Music plays] The technology is being upgraded	The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
[Music plays] to make the stations more accessible	David Saxberg and his guide dog approach a lift.
[Music plays]	The inside of a lift. Showing a through lift, a dome mirror, handrails, and large lift buttons with braille and raised signage.
[Music plays] We have brought together	Close-up of a digital display in the lift with red text displaying platform information scrolling across the screen.
[Music plays] a lot of audio visual technology.	Close up of a Hearing Loop sign with braille and duress button [Help Phone, Press Button For 5 Seconds And Wait], large go button, and braille signage.
[Music plays] We have used hearing loops more extensively	Priority Seating Area signage and seating on the station platform.
[Music plays] across the stations.	Close-up of Emergency Help Phone and Assistance required phone signage in text and braille directing to buttons.
[Music plays] We have also included Braille maps at the station entries.	David Saxberg is standing in the train station with his hand running across a Braille map. He is holding the lead to his guide dog.
[Music plays] David: I feel that tactile maps	Close-up of Braille map showing Fairfield Road.
[Music plays] are really good because	David Saxberg is sitting in a chair, on an angle, with a plant beside him.
[Music plays] you get a great layout of the station, and then you can understand it in theory,	The Yeronga station Braille map.
[Music plays] and then go and put it into practice.	Close-up of Braille map: showing key identifiers for You Are Here, Help Phone and Accessible Boarding Points.
[Music plays[ Tanya: All of this was done in consultation with	The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space.
[Music plays] community members	A group of 18 people standing and sitting together on a station platform. The people are all looking at the camera and smiling. Two people are using wheelchairs and a man has a guide dog.
[Music plays] and people with diverse access needs to really understand their lived experience.	Still image of a group of 25 people all facing the camera and smiling on a station platform. Four are using power-drive wheelchairs.
[Music plays] and understand the different technologies that will assist them in their journey.	The narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her are plants and an office space. Fade to black.
[Music plays] Cobi: Understanding what the barriers are	Second narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her is a timber ledge with a lamp and a plant.
[Music plays] you know, and mitigating those barriers is our number one goal. Cross River Rail will be	Aerial flyover of Yeronga station
[Music plays] a step-change in making sure that people are included in this public transport system.	Second narrator is sitting on a chair, on an angle. Behind her is a timber ledge with a lamp and a plant.
[Music plays]	A white search Cross River Rail animated graphic appears over a black background.