Link’s Series 2 Train Doors Light Up

One of the distinctive features on the new Link Series 2" trains are the light strips on the doors. Not only do they add a colorful flair to your ride, they serve the purpose of indicating the state of the doors. With one tweak they could be more informative for a speedy exit.

In their normal state, the Series 2's door lights glow blue. They flash green when they open and stay a solid green while they are fully open. As the doors close, they flash red. The lights return to blue after the doors close.

My first impression of the door lights was they reminded me of a similar feature on Montreal's Azur trains which got me excited. But something was missing. The Series 2's lights do not tell you which doors will open at the next stop.

Montreal Metro's Azur trains highlight the doors that will open at the next stop.

So let's use these lights to their full potential. When a train approaches a station, the doors opening at the next stop should change from blue to green. Then a voice announces Now Entering [Some] Station. Exit to my [left/right]" and the new information screens display an Exit symbol with an arrow pointing toward the exit (more on the screens in a future post). All these done in sync reinforces the message.

This simple visual cue helps riders get ready to exit the train without using a single word, just in a glance.