Improvement of voice alarm systems in underground railway stations

摘要

The vital role of VA systems in subsurface railway stations is currently underrated. A VA system loses its intended life-saving purpose if it is unintelligible and may even become counterproductive in an emergency. Therefore it is essential that improved VA system performance is prioritised by the decision makers when a station is being designed or refurbished. As subsurface stations are highly vulnerable and at high risk of attacks and diverse types of incidents which could lead to major disasters, particularly in crowded and confined conditions, it is not appropriate that economic considerations prevail and allow substandard VA performance.