AUTOMATIC EXIT DOORS

2nd October 1964, Page 54

2nd October 1964

Page 54

Page 54, 2nd October 1964 — AUTOMATIC EXIT DOORS

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I-3. A SINGLE-DECK bus just placed in service by Oldham Corporation Passenger Transport Department is fitted with what is believed to be the first photoelectric-cell-opurated door gear on a bus in this country. The bus is a Leyland Tiger Cub fitted with a front-entrance, central-exit body by Marshall of Cambridge (Engineering) Ltd., and the doors and operating equipment have been supplied by Deans and Lightalloys Ltd. The front entrance is operated by the driver in the normal way, but the centre exit door will not open until the beam of the photo-electric cell bat been broken by an alighting passenger. The door will stay open for any period between two and 32 seconds, and has been set at present for five seconds. When a number of people are alighting, the circuit resets itself each time the beam is broken, so that the door remains open as long as required. A sensitive edge to one of the doors prevents a passenger who unduly

delays in alighting from being trapped in the doors. When the bus is in motion a transmission interlock breaks the circuit, thus preventing the doors from being inadvertently opened; the circuit is made when the bus is stationary. An official of the transport department reports that operating experience so far has been most encouraging.

An essay along similar lines is to be found on the Alexander-bodied Leyland Panther for Glasgow Corporation, at present on show at Earls Court. In this case, however, the exit doors are opened by a tread on the exit steps, a second tread on the lower step operating a delaying switch to allow passengers to clear the doors, Again the doors are fitted with a sensitive edge, and there is a transmission interlocking device.