What If a Child Could Never Fall Through the Platform Gap?

Rethinking Platform Gap Safety in Automated Transit Systems

In 2024, a young girl fell into the gap between the platform and an automated train at Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
The incident occurred within the airport’s Automated People Mover (APM) system, a transport service used daily by passengers, families, airport staff, and travelers with luggage.

The child was rescued before suffering serious injury.
However, the incident prompted authorities to call for improved train and platform safety measures at the airport.

This event highlighted a critical concern:
even in modern, automated transport systems, the platform gap remains a real and present risk.

  • Source: South China Morning Post –
    “Hong Kong airport told to step up train safety after girl’s platform gap fall”

Why This Matters in Airport Transit Systems

Airport APM systems serve:

  • Families with children

  • Elderly passengers

  • Travelers with luggage and reduced mobility

  • International visitors unfamiliar with the system

In these environments:

  • Attention is divided

  • Passenger movement is unpredictable

  • Any gap becomes a hidden hazard

What If a Platform Gap Filler Had Been Installed?

What if the physical gap between the train and the platform had been eliminated by design?

With a Platform Gap Filler in place:

  • The boarding interface would have been continuous

  • A misstep would not result in a fall into the gap

  • Safety would not rely on constant supervision or rapid response

In high-profile environments such as international airports,
risk should be engineered out—not managed reactively.

Platform Gap Filler Norway

Upgrade platform safety proactively—before incidents occur.

Platform Gap Fillers should be evaluated as part of:

  • Airport people mover safety upgrades

  • Passenger accessibility programs

  • Risk mitigation strategies in automated transit systems

Particular priority should be given to:

  • High-traffic airport terminals

  • Stations serving families and international travelers

  • Automated systems where human intervention is limited