On 15.11.15 16:12, Clive Page wrote:
A long but interesting article on the problems of updating the
antiquated systems on the New York subway (warning, lots of ads
especially if you have flash player enabled):

http://www.theatlantic.com/technolog...ns-are/415152/


Good luck with that!

Parts of the New York City Subway's signalling system have not seen
upgrades since the 60s, if not earlier than that.

Parts of the signalling and control systems could likely fall into the
legal category of antique.

Many parts still use old analogue systems and use mechanical levers, and
there are still active signalboxes (towers)

I guess that is what continues to make it cool.

They've introduced moving block on the Canarsie line, with go-no-go
waysides only at danger points. There are plans to do same on the
Flushing Line as newer trains already have auto-pilot, though they are
not yet operating in that mode.

It will nonetheless be a while before they manage to modernise
signalling on a behemoth like the New York City Subway. I mean, OPTO is
only relatively a new phenomenon.

They are also still using magnetic strips for fare payment, and Smart
Card or CPC technology seems to be a ways off.

There was a pilot programme for CPC in 2006, but it was only at 42nd
Street - Grand Central on the Lexington and Flushing Lines.

Interesting to hear from across the Pond about this one.