Verdict on Platform Decals: Meh

Photo by Oran

Beginning last winter, you may have noticed platform decals in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel attempting nudge new-ish Seattle rail riders to follow the universal etiquette of not blocking the door as people exit. That experiment is over. ST spokesperson Kimberly Reason:

The decals at Westlake were temporarily installed on a six-month trial period to see if they would help separate the bus riders from the Link riders, as we were experiencing crowding and delays at the DSTT platforms from riders gathering at the forward ends of the platforms. Our goal was to create efficiencies around boarding/alighting to ultimately improve performance. Additionally, riders with low vision noted that the high contrast signs at the door openings may be beneficial. The trial period ended last week.

Here's what we found:

No real performance efficiencies in dispersing riders across the length of the platform from using the decals were observed.

Instead, with the roll-out of three-car Link trains, we observed riders naturally moving away from the forward platform and toward the rear for the opportunity to ride on the third car.

We anticipate any remaining crowding issues will be resolved when buses are removed from the DSTT and between-car Barriers are applied across all DSTT stations next year or two.

Although it's easy to exaggerate how perfect the etiquette is in other cities, the battle to help riders speed up their own ride continues.