Q&A
Exploring structural changes to prevent subway surfing
0:54:58
·
6 min
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about potential structural changes that could be implemented to curb subway surfing. MTA representatives discuss ongoing efforts and challenges in implementing such changes.
- The MTA is exploring engineering solutions to make the system safer
- Considerations include safety for passengers, employees, and maintenance requirements
- Modifications to emergency exits are being examined, but must balance safety and functionality
- The MTA is looking at both immediate measures and long-term solutions for different train car classes
- Warning signs and labels on the outside of emergency exits are being considered
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:54:58
I'd I'd like to acknowledge we've been joined by council member Krishnan.
0:55:02
When we tackle danger to the people using our city streets, We don't just ask people to be safe.
0:55:10
We design our infrastructure to facilitate their safety.
0:55:14
Has the MTA looked at or looked into structural changes that could meaningfully curb subway surfing?
Franck Joseph
0:55:23
Yeah.
0:55:24
You know, for for years, even decades now, we have continued to look at engineering solutions to make our system as safe as possible.
0:55:33
As we continue to see this trend of, you know, reckless and dangerous behavior, it's something that the team has been charged with due to pending litigation.
0:55:42
You know, unfortunately, we're not able to go into, you know, too much detail, around some of those engineering solutions, but wanted to let you know that our team is committed.
0:55:52
We're looking at, you know, every possible solution.
0:55:56
We have to also take into account not just the safety of our riders, but also the safety of our employees who maintain, the subway cars and also understanding that whatever solutions that we come up with, there are multiple car classes.
0:56:10
Right?
0:56:10
You are talking about 65100 over 65100 train cars, multiple classes as well.
0:56:15
And so the engineering solution is not just, you know, a one stop fix.
0:56:20
We really have to look at it in a multifaceted way, but we continue to do this, this work and, you know, MTA chair, Lieber and New York City Transit president Critchlow, have been keeping, you know, the team's feet to the fire in, looking at this.
0:56:34
And so, we we look forward to sharing more, as we look at what possible solutions exist.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:56:46
We have some guests in the chamber.
0:56:48
Hey, guys.
0:56:57
Is there a way to modify the emergency exits to prevent access to the roofs or subway cars while still allowing them to serve their intended function.
0:57:10
I know the r 211 that the MTA rolled out about a year or 2 ago has a lot of functions that allows the conductor, for example, to look into each car.
0:57:20
Like, is there a way to modify the emergency exits to prevent access to the roof of the subway cars?
Franck Joseph
0:57:29
Yeah.
0:57:29
I mean, once again, you know, I'll I'll reiterate that any engineering solutions that we look at, we have to make sure that we're thinking about the safety of our passengers as they're on them when it comes to exactly what you said, when it comes to exiting during emergencies, thinking through, safety of our employees when it comes to also maintenance.
0:57:47
We also have to think about the the structure itself.
0:57:50
Right?
0:57:50
We have, you know, some of our cars are outside, many of our cars are inside in the tunnels.
0:57:55
And so we have to think about the the infrastructure itself and what is actually possible.
0:58:00
So we're exploring all of those solutions and, we'll continue to do so.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:58:06
I think we could agree that inaction is not gonna be the the answer that we're looking for.
0:58:11
So exploring what is possible, taking all those points into consideration, but making sure that we're looking at that infrastructure to see how we can modify it to address this is gonna be critical, to be able to combat some of the stuff that we're seeing.
0:58:30
What about infrastructure changes designed to discourage subway service, for example, like warning signs or labels on the outside of the emergency exit?
0:58:41
Are any of those implemented, been explored?
Franck Joseph
0:58:44
Yeah.
0:58:44
I mean, we we have we have signs telling, you know, our customers not to utilize, you know, the doors unless it's an an emergency.
0:58:51
Also, on our train cars, particularly the ones that go on our trains, particularly the ones that go outside, our conductors every 5 minutes are instructed to tell our customers, our passengers, our conductors are instructed to tell our passengers that if they see anyone riding on the outside of a train car to please alert an MTA employee, they then go to our op notification goes to our OCC, operation control center, which alerts the NYPD.
0:59:19
We're also looking at things such as if people are bunching on certain parts of the platform.
0:59:24
And so we're doing a lot, not just with signage, but also actively engaging our customers and letting them know that if they see, any type of dangerous behavior to alert us so that we can not only stop the train.
0:59:36
Then, once the train is stopped, we'll ensure that there's no one on the outside of the train before it moves forward.
0:59:41
So we're putting many different, you know, protocols and processes in place to address, people utilizing, the the doors when it's not an emergency as well as making sure that our customers are being partners with us in this and being vigilant and looking to see if there are people who are, conducting themselves in a dangerous manner, alerting us so that we can, you know, take the proper measures.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
1:00:05
What would it take to implement infrastructure changes that could make a difference?
1:00:10
Would it take a total redesign of our subway system and cars from the ground up, or are there incremental measures that we can implement?
Franck Joseph
1:00:21
It's a multifaceted approach.
1:00:23
There are, you know, engineering solutions, as I stated earlier, whether it's to the cars, whether it's looking at the, infrastructure itself, our tunnels, we're exploring all of those to see what are some of the, measures that could be implemented, you know, immediately.
1:00:41
And, you know, it is something that, as I stated earlier, we're going to continue to look at.
1:00:46
We have been looking at this.
1:00:47
This is not an issue that is new to us, and I want to ensure the council of that.
1:00:51
Hearings like today are crucial.
1:00:53
They're important.
1:00:54
It's important that we share this information.
1:00:56
We are continuously looking at how do we ensure that we have a safe system that all of our riders can get on the train and can get back home, can get to their appointments, can go see their families, can get to school, can get to work.
1:01:11
And so we're exploring all of that, and we are going to continue to look at what it looks like to make our system safer, whether it's through our train cars, whether when it's when we're procuring new, train sets, what does that look like, to have safety measures in place?
1:01:25
And as you mentioned earlier, council member, you know, the r two elevens are a perfect example of some of the increased safety measures that we've put in our train cars, and it's something that as we look to the future, we'll continue to do so.
