The 100 Days and 100 Nights report makes a series of recommendations within the context of the Fast Forward plan including: upgrading critical infrastructure; reviewing potential route changes to reduce reliance on critical interlockings; revitalizing the station experience; accelerating accessibility; and giving buses greater priority in the face of traffic.
1. MAXIMIZE N/R/W LINE CAPACITY AND RELIABILITY
A. Reconfigure the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard terminal tracks to increase AM peak Manhattan-bound train frequency and reliability. The Astoria-Ditmars terminal’s track configuration limits AM peak service into Manhattan, and creates service gaps that lead to station and onboard N/W line crowding.
Benefits:
- Reconfigured tracks can improve trains per hour (tph) from 14 to 19-24 (Similar to the terminal
- configuration at South Ferry).
- Improves reliability and reduces service gaps.
- Increases AM service frequency and line capacity.
- Reduces station crowding at Astoria branch stations and Queensboro Plaza.
B. Reroute the N/R lines and de-interline (route-simplify) the Manhattan Broadway Line to increase train frequency and reliability, while reducing the Lex/59 St station crowding problem. Undertake an indepth comprehensive route review: model the following conceptual reroutes and line simplifications.
Reroute the N line to follow the Q line to 96th Street.
- Double W service frequency to cover the loss of N service to Astoria during weekdays, and run W service to Astoria on the weekends.
- Extend a portion of W trips to a Brooklyn terminus to reduce terminal delays at Whitehall Street.
- Educate riders on service changes and alternatives.
Reroute the R line to join the W line through the Lexington Av/59 St station to Ditmars Blvd. in
Astoria.
Reroute the N line to join the F line through the Lexington Av/63 St station to Forest Hills.
Astoria.
Reroute the N line to join the F line through the Lexington Av/63 St station to Forest Hills.
- Increase frequency on the M line.
- Educate riders on service changes and alternatives.
Benefits:
- Alternatives 1 & 2: De-interlines (simplifies) the Broadway line to improve reliability by reducing interlocking delays.
- Alternatives 1 & 2: Reduces Lex/59 St station crowding and reduces the platform shuffle by having only two lines (R/W) arriving at the platform instead of three (N/R/W).
- Alternative 1: Eliminates merges at 34th Street (Manhattan) to speed up trains, allowing for more train throughput.
- Alternative 2: Eliminates merges at 34th Street (Manhattan) and Queensboro Plaza (Queens) to speed up trains, allowing for more train throughput.
- Alternative 2: Reduces crowding on Queens Boulevard express E service since riders can stay on the N line for express service in Manhattan.
- Alternative 1: Adds service to the Second Avenue line, addressing ridership needs on the corridor, while making the new line a more attractive alternative.
2. MAXIMIZE 4/5 LINE CAPACITY AND RELIABILITY
A. Ensure 4/5/6 line CBTC is installed within five years of Fast Forward implementation to improve reliability, resiliency, track speeds, and crowding. NYC Transit’s Fast Forward Plan has prioritized 4/5/6 CBTC installation from 149 St/Grand Concourse to Nevins St.
Benefits:
- Maximizes 4/5 capacity: CBTC safely shortens the distance between trains and efficiently manages traffic and speed.
- Improves 4/5 reliability and resiliency: CBTC identifies precise train locations, which speeds up incident recovery, while the current system only identifies a broad area for train locations.
- Provides 4/5 speed supervision: CBTC manages train speed. The current signaling system relies on train operators to maintain the posted speeds and can result in train operators going excessively slow.
B. Continue track speed and signal timer adjustments to improve train speed and throughput.
C. Evaluate moving the southbound 4/5 platform at 14 St/Union Square station north to the straight track area, thus eliminating the need for the gap fillers and subsequent delays.
D. Reroute the Brooklyn termini 2/3/4/5 lines to eliminate Nostrand Junction train conflicts. The proposed reroute would require new crossovers. Undertake an in-depth comprehensive route review: model the following conceptual reroute, and determine the feasibility to expand capacity at the Flatbush Avenue terminal.
C. Evaluate moving the southbound 4/5 platform at 14 St/Union Square station north to the straight track area, thus eliminating the need for the gap fillers and subsequent delays.
D. Reroute the Brooklyn termini 2/3/4/5 lines to eliminate Nostrand Junction train conflicts. The proposed reroute would require new crossovers. Undertake an in-depth comprehensive route review: model the following conceptual reroute, and determine the feasibility to expand capacity at the Flatbush Avenue terminal.
Benefits:
- Improves 4/5 line reliability, resiliency, and capacity.
- Improves track speeds in both directions.
3. IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND REDUCE CROWDING AT LEX/59 ST STATION
A. Apply the methodology and resources that were applied to Grand Central station to Lex/59 St crowding and levels of service issues. In the future, look toward incorporating requirements for developers for value capture opportunities and other potential investments to apply such methodologies and resources.
Benefits:
B. Establish a Lex/59 St station crowd control mitigation plan staffed with additional platform controllers. NYC Transit lacks a robust crowd mitigation effort to address extreme crowding conditions. During peak hours for the Lex/59 St station, platform crowding during the PM commute can become so extreme that it is difficult to exit and board trains, stairwells become backed up, severely limiting platform movement.
C. Conduct regular table-top exercises to address Lex/59 St station crowding situations.
Benefits:
D. Create station passenger-based crowding metrics, to better inform NYC Transit of when to implement station-specific crowd-control measures. NYC Transit does not have a crowding metric indicating which stations are under extreme stress from overcrowding. Riders waiting for the Queens-bound N/R/W service in the PM peak face large stairwell and platform crowds as 4/5/6 trains bring more riders to the station seeking to transfer to less frequent N/R/W service.
Benefits:
E. Implement and enforce a two-lane Lexington Avenue dedicated busway during Lexington Line CBTC installation, and apply Transit Signal Priority (TSP) as soon as possible to speed up buses. Riders don’t want to take slow buses, so they crowd the subway. Lexington Avenue bus speeds are slow due to congestion, deliveries, and double parking. Enforcement and creation of an additional dedicated bus lane will be crucial when CBTC is being installed.
Benefits:
Benefits:
- Improves mezzanine, platform, and staircase circulation.
- Provides more platform space by removing bulky stair casings and columns where feasible.
- Improves station access by reopening and providing new station entrances.
- Provides the opportunity to make the station ADA accessible.
B. Establish a Lex/59 St station crowd control mitigation plan staffed with additional platform controllers. NYC Transit lacks a robust crowd mitigation effort to address extreme crowding conditions. During peak hours for the Lex/59 St station, platform crowding during the PM commute can become so extreme that it is difficult to exit and board trains, stairwells become backed up, severely limiting platform movement.
C. Conduct regular table-top exercises to address Lex/59 St station crowding situations.
Benefits:
- Defines how to measure when the station becomes congested.
- Staff is trained to identify that once free movement along the back of a platform is lost, crowd control procedures are put into place.
- Station is equipped with a dedicated station control room to facilitate crowd control operations.
D. Create station passenger-based crowding metrics, to better inform NYC Transit of when to implement station-specific crowd-control measures. NYC Transit does not have a crowding metric indicating which stations are under extreme stress from overcrowding. Riders waiting for the Queens-bound N/R/W service in the PM peak face large stairwell and platform crowds as 4/5/6 trains bring more riders to the station seeking to transfer to less frequent N/R/W service.
Benefits:
- Addressing station overcrowding through operational adjustments.
- Coordinates efforts with NYPD Transit police to provide attention and presence at stations that have overcrowding safety issues.
- The metric can inform and support capital investment needs for improved capacity and expansion efforts.
E. Implement and enforce a two-lane Lexington Avenue dedicated busway during Lexington Line CBTC installation, and apply Transit Signal Priority (TSP) as soon as possible to speed up buses. Riders don’t want to take slow buses, so they crowd the subway. Lexington Avenue bus speeds are slow due to congestion, deliveries, and double parking. Enforcement and creation of an additional dedicated bus lane will be crucial when CBTC is being installed.
Benefits:
- Bus travel is prioritized in the corridor, which increases bus speeds and frequencies.
- Frees up subway capacity, with more Lexington line subway riders taking buses for short distance trips.