Subway system is not the best part of New York City, and this is some thoughts of Transit enhancement that support DEI.
Background & Objectives
Regarding the commitment to the Efficient Mobility Plan in the OneNYC 2050, the government has proposed four key actions: modernizing the New York City’s mass transit networks, ensuring NYC’s streets are safe and accessible, reducing congestion and emissions, and strengthening connections to the region and the world. In this research, the project’s main focus will be drawn upon the subway transportation problem to the New Yorkers and possible opportunities. It has been a drastic decline in usage of mass transit by New Yorkers. The demand of modernizing the subway system in both affordability and accessibility has been a longstanding issue that MTA has yet unable to resolve. The history of the underground transit system can be traced back to 1869 from Warren Street to Murray Street in lower Manhattan. The history of September 11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy has severely damaged the Tunnel and was forced to shut down for reconstruction. Since most of the systems were built before 1990 where Americans with Disabilities Act has not gone into effect, many Subway stations are not designed for handicapped accessible. The problems with the MTA subsystem is not solely on the accessibility of handicapped. The overall system is outdated and requires a huge amount of cash inflow in renovating the majority of the subway to avoid congestion as well as sanitation of the place.
Audience
The project is targeted to policy makers and executors of the Efficient Mobility Plan in the OneNYC 2050, and also associated parties like Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA), and New York Police Department(NYPD). Not only the action-takers but also every single resident and visitor in New York City are the key to success in enhancing the MTA system. From the robust SoHo to the less populated Staten island, residents have the responsibility to make sure that everyone’s rights are being protected and given. With that being said, the Center for Independence of the Disabled to any advocacy groups also has the influence to make sure that the voices of the minority are being heard by the government.
Significance
The advantage of modernizing the transit has long term large-scale advantage to the overall rights of the residents in New York City as well as the visitors. The MTA itself has acknowledged the value that advancing the subway system could bring to five million daily riders in New York. The plan was to fund the MTA capital plan, endorse transit in New York City using modernize subway and buses, support the significant changes to MTA capital planning and project delivery, and many more.
Problem Addressed
Financial Allocation
However, the plan of MTA capital planning did not really mention the reallocation of police and their role. The
controversial plan of hiring 500 new MTA police officers in costing over 249 million that could’ve been reallocated to solving the anti-fare evasion efforts or dedicate to the MTA capital planning. All in all, to narrow down the scope of the study, the root issue is how MTA finance its money to maximize its overall impact in enhancing the quality of subway. We believe in focusing on the accessibility of the subway to all and avoidance of congestion problem is the two key focuses to modernize the system. By replacing the 249 million on hiring more police force to solve the two key issues that are mentioned below is the key to make MTA a better transit experience for all.
Handicapped accessibility
In Manhattan, only 36 out of 147 stations are accessible “to some extent” for wheelchairs. In other words, basically less than a quarter of the current subway system is open to handicapped people. This is a major setback compared to other major cities. Overlooking approximately 550,000 residents in New York by not providing sufficient support for their transit is a significant problem that MTA should prioritize. Improvements on installing new elevators, ramps, and other handicapped-friendly access to subway is in desperate need.
Congestion Issue
As mentioned in the ONENYC 2050 plan, congestion has estimated cost the economy of metropolitan region up to 15 billion dollars annually with over 300 million extra gallons of fuel. The significance of solving the congestion issue not only saves up economic cost but also promotes sustainability in the environment by reducing carbon footprint in unsustainable, outdated model of subway transit. Following the plan of implementing a central business unit in reducing traffic not only can manage the demand of transportation on the busiest streets but also generate more profit for the MTA.
Solution
The solution to the enhancement of the MTA system are all interrelated. From reallocating the 249 million police force to the other main two issues that this project has mentioned above. Acknowledging the amount of cost it would take to build elevators for all stations, the government could focus on stations where the handicapped and senior residents population are more concentrated. The rest of the stations could start with ramps or curved stairlift.
The Congestion issue could also be tackled by understanding the top reasons for congestion and traffic in the MTA that caused the inaccuracy of time to arrive. Although the MTA said it is the overcrowding problem, the majority of the public believe it is the deferred maintenance of the MTA system that is causing the problem. Since additional lines have opened in the past two decades from Brooklyn to Manhattan, it was built by private companies that are intent on making profit from competing with MTA in business. Thus, the city government was focused on building more subways in driving private companies out of business rather than ensuring the quality of the existing subway is durable. It is critical that the MTA focused on maintaining with more integration of technology since many subway railroads are very dirty and outdated. Having the incorporation of robots into the sanitation or maintainance, MTA could save not only many human capital but also reduce the risk of any workers getting hurt in the process.
There are a few solutions to help enhance the traffic problem. By making the subway’s signaling system(monitors of the movement between trains on track and spaces between them) automated which could fix the buffer caused by human error. Simply in 2017 the signal issues contributed to over 13 percent of the delay we see in the subway. Moreover, instead of having the train conductor announce the arrivals over the speaker, MTA should consider making it automated in not only one language but Spanish, Mandarin. Not only does this make the tourists travel in the city more convenient and friendly but also it reduces possible human errors. Lastly, the MTA should consider placing safety screens in between the tracks and the platform. Not it automatically opens when the train pulls into the station but it also makes sure that there aren’t any passengers pulling the subway door open when it is closing. This could also reduce the possible delay time from one station to another.
Conclusion
As the population density continuously grows in New York city, the transportation problems should be highly evaluated by the city government and take direct measures with possible capital funds in solving the problem. Many Asian countries, such as Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, have a very advanced metro system and they are all references that the New York city government could take on.
