Our Subway System Is SLOW! | Making The NYC Subway Faster

Ever gotten to work, school, or some other location late because the train was too slow? Our system has a lot of factors limiting how fast trains can travel, and in this video, we go over them and talk about some of the ways we can increase train speeds.

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#nycsubway #mta #speed

[enarush]

I just learned something new. I always thought that the reason for slow subway service was due to how close a lot of the subway stations are. I’ve been on the subways in DC and those stations are spread out for miles that’s probably why they travel at greater speed

[anonymous]

There are too many mergings of different services. Sure, they’re not 100% avoidable but many junctions do allow complete de-interlining, such as the one at DeKalb Ave. The long abandoned Myrtle Ave station can be restored but as an express station this time so that passengers can still transfer from whichever line bypasses DeKalb Ave.

[caltrustheprocess]

CBTC is long overdue. Hopefully in the later coming version of the R211A and Ts we will have it. Or if they can build them into the current R179s or R160s that would be good too. I don’t know about the trains older than those, but This would knock out one reason for delays because this signal problems make crazy lengthy delays

[transitcaptain]

Every subway line should have its full potential granted no matter what

[Interstella-nivh]

I LOL'd at 1:42 when you said prehistoric era showing the R40 slant. Thanks for making me feel old bruh 😆

[Angelqueue]

6 train rider here. I noticed they started slowing down a bit in 2016. Most noticeably before pulling into 125th on the downtown platform and again on 116.

[ntgoatie]

It’s funny you’re making this video essay because it wasn’t too long ago where I felt like the timing on the train was a bit slower than before. Not to mention, there’d be times were it feels fast so idk 🤷‍♂️😂

[herpderpy]

The trains used to run faster even as recent as the 1990s, but some transit workers in the tunnels were hit and killed by oncoming trains which caused some backlash. On top of that, the antiquated signal system doesn't help matters.

[karatekidfahim]

the qbl is a mess, they need to send some trains on the local track especially near jackson heights- forest hills 71st ave

[danielsamuels]

1:03-1:13 I can say the same thing about Septa's Broad Street Line, which can have local trains as fast as 53mph and express trains as fast as 65mph. The only thing that can slow trains down is construction on the tracks. Other than that, 50 to 65mph trains. Did I mention the cars used have been with Septa since 1983?

[thor-elfalcon]

The Broad St Subway in Philadelphia, (a bmt clone) uses SMEE equipment with a version of cbtc and is capped at 65mph. It's a ruler straight line though 😂

[michaelimbesi]

It’s not just about the allowable top speed, it’s about how long you can go fast for. That’s why, despite having a top speed only 10mph faster than the NYC subway, the DC metro’s average speed is twice as fast as NY’s.

[michaelscott]

Alot of train ops won't challenge the signals because of the repercussions. Perfect one A1 track south of 81st on CPW. It can clear at 25 but most will not challenge it.

[williamhuang]

One thing I find surprising about the trains on the NYC subway is the acceleration of the trains is slow compared to most other metros. All of the trains on the subway have their peak acceleration capped at 1.1m/s^2 while the metros (except PATH) you give as examples have trains which have peak accelerations of around 1.3m/s^2. This makes a significant difference on a train's ability to leave a station quickly and makes closely spaced stops much less painful.
The London Underground Victoria line trains (144m long) can clear the platform in 16 seconds giving an average acceleration rate of 1.125m/s^2 and reaching 35mph by the time the train has left the platform which is part of what allows it to hit 40 trains per hour.
In contrast, the trains on the subway take 22-25 (depending on the length) seconds to clear the platform giving an average acceleration rate of 0.85m/s^2 when the train is actually accelerating and not coasting. If the trains on the subway accelerated as fast as those on the underground, a 180m 10-car train would be travelling at 40+mph and clear the platform in under 18 seconds by the time the train leaves the platform.
BART trains reach 60mph in under 30 seconds and 35mph in 13 seconds which is insanely quick giving an average acceleration rate of 1.2m/s^2 up to 35mph.
Why does the subway have such sluggish trains?

[CaseysTrains]

1:15 Philly's Broad Street Subway Expresses sometimes hit 65 MPH especially coming down hill from Olney Terminal

[USArailfan]

The good old Classic R40 'Slant Nose' @ 1:42

[samuelitooooo]

This was an enjoyable overview of many things that slow our subway. I think the L is the perfect example of how a subway should be run. It floors every inch until it comes to a curve; then it takes every single curve with the same G forces. It even decreases braking rates, when approaching a station downhill, entering a station slower than usual (e.g. Broadway Junction - Bushwick/Aberdeen).

I've been checking out the Victoria Line of the London Underground lately (via YouTube), and their operations are impressive. It sadly only reaches 50 MPH, not 62, despite long station spacing across the line. But it reaches 50 pretty much every single time in between stations. I also love how quickly it stops, and then immediately opens the doors as soon as the train is stopped, without waiting a second or two. (Though I'd say NYC averages about two seconds with crew, and that's not bad IMO! LIRR is much worse and I've heard that WMATA is bad at this as well.)

I would add that some switches could be reconstructed so trains can take the curves quicker. Especially at terminals. We unfortunately have some low-capacity 2-track terminals, so who knows whether a few more trains per hour could be squeezed just by having trains enter and exit the last stop faster, instead of taking forever snaking through interlockings. This probably doesn't affect travel time across most of the route but causes end-of-rush-hour delays.

(Some curves could also be rebuilt to allow faster travel. For example, the Manhattan-bound M entering Myrtle/Wyckoff — use the abandoned center track to make for a faster, looser curve — and the A line on the quad track section of the RBB where it switches between the outer and inner tracks kinda fast and uncomfortable. Could make an argument for the J line as well, for the curves next to Alabama Ave and Marcy Ave each.)

[LeoRailfans]

0:32 I go to school here at Lexington Avenue 53rd Street, but I really don't really experience delays.

[tdadp]

48 on the Queens Boulevard line. Oh no, I’ve been on the train and the train hit 55 when you can look on and see the digital speed odometer.

[transitcaptain]

It’s interesting that when he said London, he showed the Victoria line which only goes at 50 MPH