NEW YORK — Platform edge barriers have now been installed at 56 New York City subway stations as part of an ongoing Metropolitan Transportation Authority safety initiative, with the goal of installing the barriers at more than 100 of the subway system’s 472 stations this year.
The barriers, which help to keep passengers from entering the subway right-of-way, were among measures launched as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State programs. The barriers were introduced in the wake of a number of incidents that saw passengers pushed onto the tracks as trains approached. They are common on some systems elsewhere in the world, and often have sliding gates that fully seal off the platform edge. The New York barriers leave openings for train doors.
“Customers are telling us platform barriers make them feel safer and they want to see more of them,” New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said in a press release. “Thanks to Gov. Hochul’s support, we’re getting barriers into stations quickly … I’m proud of the NYC Transit team for the incredible work they’re doing in-house to build and install barriers and look forward to keeping up the momentum.”
Other aspects of the initiative include installing brighter LED lighting on station platforms, which now has been completed at 342 stations, and installation of security cameras on all subway cars. Major crime is down by 3% from the same period a year ago, the MTA says, and by almost 10% compared to pre-pandemic level.
Stations included in the barrier program have been selected based on feasibility, taking into account portions of 10 subway lines where trains have standard stopping positions, ridership levels, and island platforms.
How does MTA handle the different lengths of subway cars on certain routes. Willl that in the future require purchase specs to follow these barrier spacings?
The larger question is how does the train stop with its door matching the barrier gaps.
From the photo it looks like passengers can traverse the space between the barrier and the platform edge — but that space would clog to gridlock with people exiting the train.
Technically advanced systems have solid barriers with doors that open when the train arrives and close before the train departs. The train doors automatically match barrier the doors within an inch or so. I’m thinking of Denver Airport but I’m sure there are other such systems around the world where the systems were built in the digital age.
Now going back to Iron Age systems where you stand back until the train arrives. Am I wrong to wish we lived in a time in human civilization when people didn’t shove you in front of the train?