A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a door, and the door comprises an inside panel and a plurality of ladder rungs coupled to the inside panel arranged in a vertical sequence. The railcar further comprises a folding ladder apparatus comprising a first ladder rung and a second ladder rung. The folding ladder apparatus is pivotally coupled to the inside panel and operable to pivot in a vertical direction between an up position and a down position. When the door is in an open position and the folding ladder apparatus is in the down position, the second ladder rung extends below a bottom of the door facilitating access to the railcar. When the folding ladder apparatus is in the up position, the first ladder rung and the second ladder rung are vertically offset from the plurality of ladder rungs coupled to the inside panel of the door.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a door, and the door comprises an inside panel and a plurality of ladder rungs coupled to the inside panel arranged in a vertical sequence. The railcar further comprises a folding ladder apparatus comprising a first ladder rung and a second ladder rung. The folding ladder apparatus is pivotally coupled to the inside panel and operable to pivot in a vertical direction between an up position and a down position. When the door is in an open position and the folding ladder apparatus is in the down position, the second ladder rung extends below a bottom of the door facilitating access to the railcar. When the folding ladder apparatus is in the up position, the first ladder rung and the second ladder rung are vertically offset from the plurality of ladder rungs coupled to the inside panel of the door.

A trapdoor assembly for use on railcars is provided. The trapdoor assembly is pivotable between an up position and a down position. In the up position, the trapdoor assembly provides access to stairs on the railcar so that passengers can egress between the railcar and a ground level platform at a rail station. In the down position, the trapdoor assembly covers the stairs and provides a platform so that passengers can egress between the railcar and an elevated platform at a rail station. The trapdoor assembly also includes an extendible platform for bridging the gap between the railcar and the elevated station when the trapdoor is in the down position and the railcar is stopped at the elevated station.

A method for operating a rail vehicle that has at least one extendable and retractable sliding step which is associated with a door, includes moving the sliding step while the rail vehicle is travelling and the door is closed, specifically using at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor which is associated with the sliding step. A rail vehicle having at least one door that has an associated extendable and retractable sliding step is also provided.

Systems and methods for a shuttle platform that is configured to allow a path for one or more passengers to load or unload from a light rail transit vehicle that runs on a shared track. The shuttle platform can move in a linear plane that is parallel to a ground level from a first position to a second position and/or the second position to the first position. The shuttle platform can be associated with a setback platform that provides a first path parallel to a centerline of the shared track and a second path parallel to the centerline of the shared track, wherein the first path is at a first height from the ground level, the second path is at a second height from the ground level, and the first path and the second path are adjacent to one another.

Contemplated ladder assemblies include: a) at least two rails, b) at least one step, wherein each step is coupled to the at least two rails, such that the rails are relatively vertical and the steps are relatively horizontal, c) at least one grappling footing peg, wherein the peg is operationally coupled with a rail, d) at least one safety handle, wherein the handle is coupled with at least one rail, and e) at least one commuter train, passenger train or railway car coupling fixture, wherein the coupling fixture operationally engages with a mating fixture on the commuter train, passenger train or railway car. In addition, contemplated ladder assemblies for use with a commuter train, a passenger train or a railway car include: at least two rails, at least one step, wherein each step is coupled to the at least two rails, such that the rails are relatively vertical and the steps are relatively horizontal, at least one grappling footing peg, wherein the peg is operationally coupled with a rail, at least one safety handle, wherein the handle is coupled with at least one rail, and at least one commuter train, passenger train or railway car coupling fixture, wherein the coupling fixture operationally engages with the ladder assembly.

Contemplated ladder assemblies include: a) at least two rails, b) at least one step, wherein each step is coupled to the at least two rails, such that the rails are relatively vertical and the steps are relatively horizontal, c) at least one grappling footing peg, wherein the peg is operationally coupled with a rail, d) at least one safety handle, wherein the handle is coupled with at least one rail, and e) at least one commuter train, passenger train or railway car coupling fixture, wherein the coupling fixture operationally engages with a mating fixture on the commuter train, passenger train or railway car. In addition, contemplated ladder assemblies for use with a commuter train, a passenger train or a railway car include: at least two rails, at least one step, wherein each step is coupled to the at least two rails, such that the rails are relatively vertical and the steps are relatively horizontal, at least one grappling footing peg, wherein the peg is operationally coupled with a rail, at least one safety handle, wherein the handle is coupled with at least one rail, and at least one commuter train, passenger train or railway car coupling fixture, wherein the coupling fixture operationally engages with the ladder assembly.

A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.