The hidden role of platform doors

21/08/2025 - Why smart motor systems are key to station safety

21st August 2025
Filed under: Bühler, Bmotion, Rail

Over the past year, the UK rail network has recorded 1.73 billion passenger journeys. With this increase comes the demand for safer, more reliable station infrastructure. One solution helping to meet these demands is automated platform door system.

Platform screen doors protect passengers by creating a barrier between the platform and the tracks by only opening when a train is ready for passengers to board. Available widely across Asia, automated doors are becoming increasingly common in Europe, with several Paris Metro lines, London Underground’s Jubilee and Elizabeth Lines and the Copenhagen Metro all making use of the technology.

Going beyond safety

The doors play a vital role in preventing accidental falls, stopping trespassing and regulating boarding. But their value extends beyond safety.

In underground stations, platform doors also help maintain platform temperature by separating the station from the tunnels. This keeps passengers comfortable, while saving the power that would be required to make the station cooler or warmer. In addition, by regulating the flow of people boarding and disembarking, platform doors help keep train schedules running smoothly.

Despite their many advantages, platform doors operate under demanding conditions. Day after day, they must flawlessly perform countless cycles of opening and closing, all while enduring heavy passenger traffic, dust, moisture and fluctuations in temperature. Moreover, they are expected to operate with unwavering reliability and complete silence, maintaining a seamless experience for commuters.

The motor systems that drive them are therefore under a lot of strain. A broken door can lead to costly emergency repairs, safety risks and service delays. As such, the performance of these drive systems is directly bound to the efficiency and safety of the wider transport network.

The importance of the right motor technology

Micromotors play a vital role in ensuring the smooth and continuous operation of platform doors. They need to be durable enough to handle constant use, silent enough to avoid contributing to an already noisy environment and reliable enough to run day after day with minimal downtime.

Equipment manufacturers seek compact motors that are easy to integrate into tight mechanical spaces without sacrificing torque or performance. Low-maintenance operation is another key factor: every minute of reduced service or maintenance time compares to savings and improved reliability. When chosen carefully, a motor solution enhances both passenger safety and operational efficiency over the full lifecycle of the equipment.

Bühler’s 63 mm gear motors are known for their quiet running, making them ideal for installation inside platform doors. Despite the motor’s small size, it provides the torque required for heavy doors, to ensure they slide smoothly without using too much power.

Another advantageous area of Bühler’s offer is its bMotion modular drive platform of DC motors, gear boxes, brakes and encoders. The bMotion system is particularly beneficial for sliding doors, as it allows manufacturers to customise drive solutions by combining pre-validated components to suit specific operational needs.

This modular approach not only simplifies installation and purchasing but also ensures flexibility and scalability, making it easier to adapt to a variety of platform door configurations and performance requirements.

While platform doors provide a clear physical barrier to keep passengers safe, it’s the smart motor systems behind them that ensure their reliability. Choosing the right motor technology is fundamental to the efficiency of train lines and the safety of passengers, and selecting robust, low noise and high-power motors play a key role in keeping train traffic flowing.

To learn more about Bühler Motor drive systems and how, as an exclusive UK distributor, EMS can support your upcoming project, get in touch today.