Overcrowding

[James Howard]

One major difference between Irish Rail and urban carriages in other countries is the relatively lack of exits which has a bearing on emergency escape. This is particularly severe with the idiotic use of ICRs for commuter duties.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by James Howard

One major difference between Irish Rail and urban carriages in other countries is the relatively lack of exits which has a bearing on emergency escape. This is particularly severe with the idiotic use of ICRs for commuter duties.

I'm not sure if this is a particular issue. In fire escape management (or other incidents), the usual criteria are (a) distance to nearest escape to fresh air and (b) distance to alternative exit (c) width of exit route and (d) number of people likely to use the space at any one time. One factor against that on a train is the width of the aisle and relatively large number of people - but it isn't much different to say a busy pub or club. Doubling the width of an exit route more than doubles the capacity of the route.

If there is a single incident, e.g. an accidental fire, then there is usually only one location and people can escape in both directions. In the event of a double / multiple incident, then only a modest number of people are trapped in the middle, but even then, escape is possible through windows.

Availability of escape needs to be balanced with preventing people inappropriately leaving a carriage when it isn't at a platform, e.g. if there is a breakdown and people try to leave the train when it is on an embankment, bridge or on a double-track or multi-track section where there is a risk of being struck by another train.

With the DART carriages, the doors can't be at the very centre or extreme ends due to the use of tightly-curved platforms, especially at Connolly and Tara Street. However, the 'dead ends' aren't particularly far from the nearest door.

22000s and other stock with single-opening doors (as opposed to the double doors on DART and most commuter stock) should only be used on quieter suburban services where otherwise the service wouldn't run.

[JohnnyBoy]

So IE have no guidelines on appropriate load for specific models? I find that staggering.