Island platform

An Island Platform on a railway is one in which a single platform is provided for two tracks, usually on the same line but in oposite directions. The tracks themselves flow around the platform. The Opposite of an Island Platform is one in which two separate platforms are provided, in which the tracks flow between them. The advantages of an Island Platform are low cost, low room and less space in which is occupied. The disadvantage is possible overcrowding at busy stations. Also the need to slew the tracks (especially if high speed tracks) also takes a lot of space).

They are visible in use on the London Underground, Kuala Lumpa Putra LRT and many more stations, most noticably on modern Light Rail Transport which are forced to conserve station space within the city. Many London Underground Island Stations (Underground) are being refurbished as they have a feel of claustphobia and that one may easilly fall off onto the rails, being no barriers of firm wall. The encave and the island are expanded and the centre filled in, so the station becomes two seperate platforms, linked by an archway and a set of stairs accending from it.