Copyright 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022 Solutions by Design
NYC Transit Authority -
Easy Improvements
1. Run all “A” trains to Far Rockaway or Rockaway Park and all “C” trains to Lefferts Boulevard. This would improve service to the Rockaways where most of the riders live and reduce confusion for passengers to JFK Airport.
2. Clean snow from the bottom of the steps to the sidewalk in compliance with the law.
3. Insure that electronic signs:
a. Are visible to passengers entering the stations and waiting for trains.
b. Continue to display train announcements and sound audible warnings until trains arrive.
c. Have audible tones that are audible to all passengers (low frequencies rather than higher ones).
d. Display correct information.
4. Reopen all bathrooms. All of the Rockaway stations were built with bathrooms as were many others.
5. Identify the length of all subway platforms to allow longer trains.
a. Determine if any stations on the BMT B Division have platforms less than 660’ long.
b. All of the B Division IND stations were designed to allow operation of 11 car trains and are generally 700’ long.
c. All lines where the station platforms are 660’ or longer should be operated with 11 car trains, thus yielding an immediate 10% increase in capacity on these lines.
d. Mayor Wagner increased most of the IRT (A Division) station platforms to allow 11 car (56’ trains). Determine if all of the A Division lines have station platforms at least 560’ long and if so likewise operate 11 car train on these lines.
6. Decommission the compressed air system.
a. Replace compressed air operated train stops with electrically operated devices.
b. Replace compressed air operated switches with electric motors.
7. Upgrade the signal system quickly and relatively inexpensively to:
a. Eliminate failure pone electromechanical relays.
b. Eliminate failure prone rubber or fabric insulation.
c. Provide a basis for rapid and inexpensive transition to Computer Based Train Control.
d. Reduce operational costs.