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The problem is the subway has a lot of trouble doing the upgrades that would be required to enable computer driven trains the tracking infrastructure just doesn

by rtkwe 8y ago

The problem is the subway has a lot of trouble doing the upgrades that would be required to enable computer driven trains the tracking infrastructure just doesn't exist and installing it requires shutdowns that are extremely disruptive and time consuming.

yostrovs 8y ago
The MTA will shut down the L train tunnel under the East River for almost two years. There's no talk of automatic trains being introduced as part of that, remarkably long, repair.
- bogomipz 8y ago
  Which is incredible since the L line made its first "automatic" debut over a decade ago: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/automated-train-rolls-article-1.389778 https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/automated-train-rolls-a... It costs hundreds of million of dollars and there were service disruptions for years, often entire weekends to do the work. There was no Uber or Lyft either.
- hapless 8y ago
  The L train has been fully automated for many years. The reason that only the L was improved was that it is largely separate from the rest of the system. There are extremely few rail connections and none that are regularly used.
  - deleted 8y ago
    [deleted]
nine_k 8y ago
Most of the tunnels have 4 tracks, so shutting down even half of them will not disrupt commuting all that much, especially if not done for a very large length. In many places, it will somehow slow down express trains. MTA did this e.g. in Brooklyn on the B/Q line. I'm afraid that computer-driven trains mostly mean no need for people "driving" the trains, and the trade union won't be happy with that.
- Wowfunhappy 8y ago
  > Most of the tunnels have 4 tracks, so shutting down even half of them will not disrupt commuting all that much, especially if not done for a very large length. I'm going to guess you don't commute on the New York subway. :P Generally, there's two tracks for each direction, one local and one express. You can't shut down just one direction for obvious reasons. The New York subway is busy enough that shutting down either the local or express track—while better than taking the subways fully out of commission—is a huge pain. When the express track closes, your commute takes twice as long; when the local track closes, your station will likely be bypassed. And in both cases, this makes for overcrowded trains, to the point where you often have to wait for a couple before you're able to board. (I'm not saying we shouldn't do upgrades, but shutting down a track is indeed very disruptive.)

by rtkwe 8y ago

yostrovs 8y ago

The MTA will shut down the L train tunnel under the East River for almost two years. There's no talk of automatic trains being introduced as part of that, remarkably long, repair.

bogomipz 8y ago
Which is incredible since the L line made its first "automatic" debut over a decade ago: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/automated-train-rolls-article-1.389778 https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/automated-train-rolls-a... It costs hundreds of million of dollars and there were service disruptions for years, often entire weekends to do the work. There was no Uber or Lyft either.
hapless 8y ago
The L train has been fully automated for many years. The reason that only the L was improved was that it is largely separate from the rest of the system. There are extremely few rail connections and none that are regularly used.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]

nine_k 8y ago

Most of the tunnels have 4 tracks, so shutting down even half of them will not disrupt commuting all that much, especially if not done for a very large length. In many places, it will somehow slow down express trains. MTA did this e.g. in Brooklyn on the B/Q line. I'm afraid that computer-driven trains mostly mean no need for people "driving" the trains, and the trade union won't be happy with that.

Wowfunhappy 8y ago
> Most of the tunnels have 4 tracks, so shutting down even half of them will not disrupt commuting all that much, especially if not done for a very large length. I'm going to guess you don't commute on the New York subway. :P Generally, there's two tracks for each direction, one local and one express. You can't shut down just one direction for obvious reasons. The New York subway is busy enough that shutting down either the local or express track—while better than taking the subways fully out of commission—is a huge pain. When the express track closes, your commute takes twice as long; when the local track closes, your station will likely be bypassed. And in both cases, this makes for overcrowded trains, to the point where you often have to wait for a couple before you're able to board. (I'm not saying we shouldn't do upgrades, but shutting down a track is indeed very disruptive.)