An Excessive Explanation of North American Platform Heights

In honor of Tri-Rail beginning service to Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station this weekend – where yet another method of level-boarding was introduced – I thought it would be appropriate to publish a video I have been sitting on for a while.
This video is an adaptation of a Skyscraper Page post I made in 2018. I’ve wondered for years why it is so difficult to standardize around two – or perhaps just one – standard height for train platforms. We have national standards for gauge, for loading gauge, and for passenger car floor heights. Why can’t we standardize our platforms as well?
I am genuinely curious for public feedback on this topic, so don’t be shy with your opinions!
The new Tri-Rail platforms in MiamiCentral are fitted with a special lip that allows for level boarding of bi-level commuter cars that otherwise are fitted with steps for a typical 8-inch platform. This innovative solution only works on tracks exempt from freight trains, but it does allow for complete flexibility between level and stepped boarding.

  / trirail_commuter_train_in_the_new_livery_o...  

Corrections:
1) The train interior shown at 14:20 is in fact a new Night Jet car, not a Rail Jet, though the two are closely related.

Other Links:
Original SSP post:
https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/show...
Swaying freight cars:
   • Freight Train Rocking Off Rails! (Featured...  
Brightline Gap Filler:
   • Brightline Innovation: Retractable Gap Filler  
Freight at a Brightline Platform:
   • Look, Listen & Live  
Wheelchair Accessibility on Metrolink (CA):
   • Metrolink - Portable Ramp Procedures  
Toronto:
   • 4K - Rush Hour GO & VIA Rail Trains along ...  
Santa Fe High Level Cars:
   • The Original "California Zephyr" in 1969  
Hudson River Tunnel:
   • Hudson River Tunnel West Portal - Amtrak L...  
Superliners on the Keystone Route:
   • Amtrak Keystone Corridor: Superliners, Pen...  
P42’s on the Northeast Corridor:
   • Amtrak P42's Invade the Northeast Corridor...  
Amtrak request for ADA Bilevel Cars:
https://accessibilityfeedback-amtrak....
UTA low floor vehicles:
   • New Low Floor Event 6-18-10.flv  
How to ride UTA:
   • How to Ride TRAX