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0 pointsguardiangod8y ago0 comments

That's not a really fair way to put it as the signaling system is still the root cause of the slowdown.

1. Outdated signaling system cannot handle current load at high safety threshold

2. Network could not upgrade signaling system due to lack of money

3. Network responses by slowing down critical paths and putting in more locks

4. System capacity drops

So yeah, you still need the money to fix slow things.

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3 comments · 3 top-level

kelnos8y ago

That rationale implies that your assumption in #1 is true, which seems not to be the case.

Yes, the signals system needs to be upgraded if they want to increase the number of trains (and their speed) on the lines, but even without the signals system upgrades, they can still run the current loads at acceptably-high levels of safety.

Put another way, they are slowing the trains down and increasing delays while not actually increasing the capacity of the system.

notyourday8y ago

I'm rather familiar with the L. Signal upgrades wont create a large improvement - it is already a fully automated line ( there's a sign at the end of every platform that spells out that the trains of the L are under automated traffic control ). It was just designed in the bone-headed way - just look at the 8th ave termination point or realize where the switches are in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

stuaxo8y ago

Yup - need to pay to get the signals sorted. I guess the you might unearth a bunch of other things, that need sorted... but it just needs doing.

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