A platform of Beijing Subway Line 1 before the installation of protective screen doors along the rail tracks. (Photo: China.org.cn)
The construction of platform screen doors has begun on Beijing Subway Line 1 and Line 2, and they are expected to be completed by 2017, authorities of Beijing Subway said on Tuesday.
Chest-high platform screen doors will be installed within the specific structure of the subway lines.
The rail tracks which provide electric power to the trains, will also be moved to places far from platforms to guarantee the installation of the doors.
Authorities from Beijing Subway also said that the platform screen doors will be constructed during the 3.5 hours of non operational time everyday of line 1 and line 2. Thus, it will take as long as two years to complete the installation but will largely reduce the inconvenience caused to commuters.
According to the leading official from Beijing Subway, project will be completed at a snail's pace because it needs to reconstruct Subways' several systems including screen door, signal, power supply, electric power and screen door monitoring, communications, rail tracks relocation, the deployment of equipment, equipments of platforms and train remolding.
Comparatively, the platform screen door installation for the Batong Line and Line 13 is estimated take around three years.
