Platform Area
Next, this command prompt is shown:
Here, the platform area is set, either by typing a platform depth, or by selecting and dragging a segment of the platform edge (highlighted when the mouse hovers over it). This is the area that entities wanting Services from this Platform will head to and wait in, before boarding.
Platform Entry Zones
Each zone is paired with one or more Passenger Distributions in Platform Properties (see Passenger Distributions), which define the distribution of passengers along a Platform when entering at a specific location.
Different distributions by entry location can be useful in these situations:
Creating a Platform Entry Zone
A Platform Entry Zone consists of:
- A user-definable line segment or polyline, denoting the transition onto the Platform. Polyline can follow a simple curve but is not allowed to follow a complex curve.
- A fixed depth (2.1m) area into the Platform, so Entities cannot accidentally step over the zone.
- Adjustable buffer spaces (2.1m wide) left and right of the Platform Entry Zone, so Entities cannot accidentally cut across a corner and miss the Platform Entry Zone.
To Create one or More Platform Entry Zones
- The command prompt asks: Are Platform Entry Zones required? [Y]/N
- The command prompt states: Platform Entry Zones: Mark the first point of the entry segment of polyline
- The command prompt states: Platform Entry Zones: Select next point. Press <ENTER> to finish.
- When all segment points have been added, press <ENTER>.
- The command prompt
states: Platform Entry Zones: Mark the Platform side. Click or press
<ENTER> to confirm.
- Move the mouse left or right of the Platform Entry Zone segments. An arrow is shown, indicating movement direction onto the Platform. The default Platform Entry Zone shape is also shown.
- The shape matches the segment(s) you have drawn, for example:
- Left-click or press <ENTER> when the arrow shows the correct direction.
- Provide a name for the Platform Entry Zone in the popup dialog. This is to identify it in Platform properties, when assigning Passenger Distributions.
- Click OK to close the dialog.
- The command prompt asks: Platform Entry Zones: Add more Platform Entry Zones? [Y]/N
- After all required Platform Entry Zones are added, the command prompt changes to Set Platform properties and the Platform properties dialog box appears.
Editing Platform Entry Zones
To change the shape of a Platform Entry Zone:
- Select the Platform in
the workspace.
- The Platform Entry Zones are now visible, with grab handles at adjustment points.
- Side buffer grab handles are outermost, while inner handles are for the Platform Entry Zone segment(s).
- Movement of side buffer grab handles is limited, to prevent self-intersection between the side buffers and the main Platform Entry Zone area. Two limiting factors are considered:
- Left-click on a grab handle, move it to the desired location, then left-click again to set the new location.
- Repeat with the other grab handles for any other adjustments needed.
Renaming Platform Entry Zones
The name assigned to a Platform Entry Zone can be changed. To do so:
- Select the Platform in the workspace.
- The Platform Entry Zones are now visible.
- Right-click inside the Platform Entry Zone you want to rename, then select Rename Platform Entry Zone ‘[Name]’… where [Name] is the existing name.
- In the dialog box that appears, enter the new name. Rules for Platform Entry Zone names remain the same:
- Click OK to close the dialog.
Deleting a Platform Entry Zone
To delete a Platform Entry Zone:
- Select the Platform in the workspace.
- The Platform Entry Zones are now visible.
- Right-click inside the Platform Entry Zone to be deleted, then select Delete Platform Entry Zone ‘[Name]’, where [Name] identifies the Platform Entry Zone to delete.
- The Platform Entry Zone is deleted. Any Platform referring to the Platform Entry Zone in Passenger Distribution assignments is updated.