3 ms·

Interesting, The four new Prague metro stations are equipped with a blue band at the edge of the platform, which starts to blink when a train approaches. I wo

Interesting, The four new Prague metro stations are equipped with a blue band at the edge of the platform, which starts to blink when a train approaches. I wonder if this is coincidental.

Piskvorrr 11y ago
Actually, this has been implemented already on the previous 3 stations on the red line (2008), and on the tram extension to Barrandov (2004). The band was originally supposed to have been red (as in "danger, train approaching, do not cross"), but was changed early in the process: red is already in use for train signalling and the designers have seen this as potentially confusing to train drivers (the lights tend to reflect into the tunnels somewhat, and "red light" in the underground signalling code means "EMERGENCY, STOP THE TRAIN BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE") - so they have chosen a color which is unused (green and orange/yellow are also assigned meanings for signalling - "clear to proceed" and "next block occupied"). Source: local transport grapevine. (On second thought, most Prague underground stations are lit with light that's closer to the "daylight" range than to "incadescent", but that might be an artifact of the lighting systems rather than a deliberate choice) TL;DR: Just a UX coincidence.
- CaptainZapp 11y ago
  Thanks! It's comments like yours, which make HN interesting. Even if the upcoming questions are of rather idiosyncratic nature. I assume that the C line stations equipped with those bands are the ones up north (thanks for the addition). I have to admit that I never made it that far. As a side note. The general design of the Prague metro stations are pretty awesome (well, most of them anyway). The "bubble" design of the older A metro stations is almost iconic. Really a testament to Czech design in my view. Thanks again for the insight.
  - Piskvorrr 11y ago
    You're welcome. Yep, that's them; there's nothing to see in the desolate northern wastes anyway ;) Except perhaps the Strizkov "White Whale" metro station, a Schrödingerish case of good/bad design: you'll love and/or hate it. http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/26127084 http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/26127084
    - trevyn 11y ago
      >https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Praha%2C_St%C5%99%C3%AD%C5%BEkov%2C_stanice_metra_St%C5%99%C3%AD%C5%BEkov%2C_no%C4%8Dn%C3%AD_pohled_od_severv%C3%BDchodu.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Praha%2C... FTFY.

Interesting, The four new Prague metro stations are equipped with a blue band at the edge of the platform, which starts to blink when a train approaches. I wonder if this is coincidental.

Piskvorrr 11y ago

Actually, this has been implemented already on the previous 3 stations on the red line (2008), and on the tram extension to Barrandov (2004). The band was originally supposed to have been red (as in "danger, train approaching, do not cross"), but was changed early in the process: red is already in use for train signalling and the designers have seen this as potentially confusing to train drivers (the lights tend to reflect into the tunnels somewhat, and "red light" in the underground signalling code means "EMERGENCY, STOP THE TRAIN BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE") - so they have chosen a color which is unused (green and orange/yellow are also assigned meanings for signalling - "clear to proceed" and "next block occupied"). Source: local transport grapevine. (On second thought, most Prague underground stations are lit with light that's closer to the "daylight" range than to "incadescent", but that might be an artifact of the lighting systems rather than a deliberate choice) TL;DR: Just a UX coincidence.

CaptainZapp 11y ago
Thanks! It's comments like yours, which make HN interesting. Even if the upcoming questions are of rather idiosyncratic nature. I assume that the C line stations equipped with those bands are the ones up north (thanks for the addition). I have to admit that I never made it that far. As a side note. The general design of the Prague metro stations are pretty awesome (well, most of them anyway). The "bubble" design of the older A metro stations is almost iconic. Really a testament to Czech design in my view. Thanks again for the insight.
- Piskvorrr 11y ago
  You're welcome. Yep, that's them; there's nothing to see in the desolate northern wastes anyway ;) Except perhaps the Strizkov "White Whale" metro station, a Schrödingerish case of good/bad design: you'll love and/or hate it. http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/26127084 http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/26127084
  - trevyn 11y ago
    >https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Praha%2C_St%C5%99%C3%AD%C5%BEkov%2C_stanice_metra_St%C5%99%C3%AD%C5%BEkov%2C_no%C4%8Dn%C3%AD_pohled_od_severv%C3%BDchodu.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Praha%2C... FTFY.