After a shocking death and an overall rise in violent crime at its stations, New York City's transit authority will install platform barriers to prevent intentional or accidental falls onto tracks.
The New York MTA will test platform barriers at three of its stations. As Michael Gold and Ana Ley report, the move comes after one woman was pushed in front of a train at the Times Square station, which safety advocates argue could be avoided by installing the glass doors present in many other subway systems around the world. "The announcement comes as many New Yorkers have become anxious about safety on the subway, where the rates of violent crime per million weekday passengers have risen during the pandemic even as ridership has plunged, and where the number of people who end up on the tracks, most of them intentionally, is rising."
The barriers, also called platform edge doors or platform screen doors, block riders from accessing the tracks until a train has arrived. While the MTA has insisted that installing them in all of New York's subway stations isn't feasible due to "special complexities" and cost, the recent death of Michelle Alyssa Go, the woman who was pushed off a platform, prompted the agency to take up the issue once more. "Still, expanding the pilot would present significant financial and logistical challenges. The price tag for installing barriers at the 128 stations would be about $7 billion, according to the 2019 report [released by the MTA]."
In addition to the doors, the agency says it is exploring additional options for safety improvements that include cameras at the front of trains, increased police presence on platforms, thermal detection systems, and public service announcements that address mental health and warn riders away from the tracks.
FULL STORY: Subway Platform Barriers Will Be Tested at 3 N.Y.C. Stations
Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners
Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.
Commentary: New Bill Holds Key to Solving US Housing Crisis. We Just Have to Pass It.
Two bills currently moving through Congress could make mass production of prefabricated, affordable housing possible on a large scale.
America’s 10 ‘Greenest’ Cities
A new analysis ranks cities based on their environmental quality, energy consumption and production, transportation, density, and other factors.
How Seattle Achieved Safe Routes to School Goal
SDOT has installed safety improvements at more than 260 public schools since 2015.
Auto Insurance Rates Spike Due to Extreme Weather
Car insurance costs around the country are going up as insurers receive more claims from areas struck by storms and other climate disasters.
California Approves $10 Billion Bond for Water, Clean Energy, and Environmental Projects
Funds will be used to support water, wildfire prevention, environmental, and park projects, reflecting strong public support for climate resilience.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
University of Southern California
City of Meridian
University of Calgary
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
Detroit Regional Partnership
San Joaquin LAFCo
City of South Portland