TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has begun installing innovative safety barriers at one of its busiest railway hubs, addressing a persistent safety issue that endangers dozens of passengers each year. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部), Taiwan's national transportation authority, unveiled newly installed platform gates at Taiwan Railway's (台灣鐵路) Kaohsiung Station during a media tour Thursday (April 24).
The safety initiative, which began construction in January, represents a significant infrastructure upgrade for Taiwan's aging rail system. Engineers expect to complete installation by December, with the system becoming fully operational in March 2026. During the demonstration, Taiwan Railway's General Manager Feng Hui-sheng (馮輝昇) highlighted the technical specifications of the pilot installation on Platform 2's Track 4, noting that the 300-meter barrier system has been engineered to accommodate all 14 train types that service the station.
Unlike traditional solid platform doors seen in newer metro systems, Taiwan Railway has opted for an innovative cable mesh design with considerable resilience. Officials demonstrated that the barriers can withstand the impact of a 200-kilogram electric wheelchair moving at 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) per hour without failing. The engineering team incorporated anti-climbing features into the vertical opening mechanism, which consists of dual main pillars, a central balance pillar, an upper guide groove, and the tensioned cable mesh barrier itself.
Safety considerations extend to the smallest details of the design, with base gaps limited to approximately 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) — narrow enough to prevent children or dropped objects from slipping onto the tracks. The manufacturer demonstrated the system's emergency functionality, showing how a single staff member can manually lift a 20-meter section during power failures or other critical situations. General Manager Feng assured reporters that comprehensive management protocols for handling technical anomalies, system malfunctions, and potential passenger violations would be finalized before the system becomes operational next year. ★
