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Moving ahead with Queens Blvd Line Signal Improvements


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From the MTA.info page:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today gave preliminary approval to two contracts totaling $205.8 million to Siemens Industry Inc. and Thales Transport & Security for the installation of a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling system on the Queens Boulevard Line, one of New York City Transit’s busiest subway lines. The signaling system, which is currently in operation on the Canarsie (L) Line and being installed on the Flushing (7) Line, enables the MTA to address overcrowding and record subway ridership by operating subway trains more closely together, adding passenger capacity to the century-old subway system.

CBTC allows NYC Transit to operate more trains per hour, thereby increasing passenger capacity; provide improved and more reliable service; and make more efficient use of its track and car fleet. The system is more flexible than the current block signals system because CBTC continuously updates train positions, distances and travel speeds, allowing for faster and more efficient operations. Continuous updates allow the subway system to recover quickly from delays and restore consistent wait times at subway stations.

The installation of CBTC will keep the signaling system in a state of good repair and will also enhance safety for customers and employees alike. With CBTC, NYC Transit can program a work zone so trains cannot exceed a set speed, making the work zone much safer for workers on the tracks.

The signals system also can provide real-time travel information that can be shared with customers on public address systems and electronic screens such as countdown clocks or data-driven mobile apps.

CBTC will be installed on local and express tracks serving the (E)(F)(M)(R) lines from north of the Kew Gardens/Union Tpke (E)(F) station to north of the 47-50 Sts/Rockefeller Ctr station on the FM Lines and south of the 50 St (C)(E) station. It is the first phase in a project that will ultimately update the signaling system for the entire Queens Boulevard Line. QBL West Phase 1 represents a change from MTA’s other CBTC projects, which have been installed on single subway lines such as the (L) and (7) . QBL West Phase 1 encompasses four subway lines with multiple train overlays.

“The communications-based train control signaling system is a vital part of our plan to address issues of overcrowding, record ridership and service delays,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast. “CBTC represents the MTA’s efforts to bring advanced technology to a century-old subway system that, in some parts, has not been updated in decades. On the (L) Line where CBTC has been installed for several years now, we have seen improved service and we have been able to increase capacity significantly. Once we’re done installing CBTC on the (7) Line, those customers will also benefit from similarly improved and increased service, and the Queens Boulevard project is a continuation of our efforts to make those improvements system-wide.”

Design work on QBL West Phase 1 is estimated to begin later in 2015, with major installation work estimated to start in mid-2017. Once complete, NYC Transit will be able to run more frequent subway service with fewer delays, which will be a major benefit to (E)(M)(F)(R) customers who commute to some of Queens’ most populated neighborhoods, major commercial destinations, and areas in Central Queens that are undergoing significant residential and commercial development. On the (L) Line, ridership has increased by 27 percent since CBTC was installed in 2007; capacity also is expected to increase on the (7) Line once CBTC becomes operational in 2017.

The Transit Committee of the MTA Board approved the 67-month contracts to Siemens Industry Inc. and Thales Transport & Security Inc., currently the only two MTA-qualified vendors for CBTC projects. The Siemens contract is for approximately $156.2 million; the Thales contract is for $49.6 million.

It also approved a separate $1.2 million contract for Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. to develop and test CBTC software and systems with the goal of qualifying an additional supplier for future CBTC projects. This process widens the pool of vendors to compete for such projects and increases the potential for cost savings for the MTA.

These contracts are scheduled to be considered by the full MTA Board on Wednesday. They will be fully funded by the MTA, with portions funded by the 2010-2014 Capital Program and other existing programs. Integral portions such as car and wayside equipment installation are scheduled to be funded in the 2015-2019 Capital Program.

Please click on

to view a video presented today at the Transit Committee about the benefits of CBTC.
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Yeah but I don't see them installing CBTC on the queens blvd line until the R46s retire

Well major work is going to be done in 2017, which is around the time the R46s should be retiring. Then again, the MTA might pull another R32/42 problem where some/all cars stay in service until the 2020s. I guess we should see what happens before we say anything else about the R46s.
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Well major work is going to be done in 2017, which is around the time the R46s should be retiring. Then again, the MTA might pull another R32/42 problem where some/all cars stay in service until the 2020s. I guess we should see what happens before we say anything else about the R46s.

Yeah most likely if the R211s are going to be like the R179s and get delayed all the time then the R46s are going to be here for longer than you think and QBL won't be CBTC till the 2020s and R46s are set to retire in 2019 not 2017
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Yeah but I don't see them installing CBTC on the queens blvd line until the R46s retire

The project will take 6.5 years to complete and will start work soon. The first phase is the prepping of the tracks and tunnels for the infrastructure which means new signals. The Union Tpke interlocking will also be rebuilt as part of phase I. Phase II is the actual installation of CBTC.

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When they say "north of union tpke", does that mean the countdown clocks will be in the union tpke station?

 

I'm also curious how they are going to overcome issues like not tracking the trains fro the entire length of the route.

I sure hope so!

Another project that could help reduce crowding is the lengthening of platforms. Most IND platforms were 660 feet, however some weren't 660 and there were some newer stations.

11 car trains would be great for the (E) and  (F)

A few local stations on queens blvd would need to be extended 60 feet, such as Elmhurst Av, 63 Drive, 67 Avenue, 

Seventh Avenue on the F would need to be lengthened 5 feet.

Same for Fort Hamilton Parkway.

Bdwy Lafayette. One platform needs to be lengthened 20 feet, and the other 5 feet.

Second Avenue needs to be lengthened 10 feet.

57 Street needs to be lengthened 45 feet.

The platform for the T1 track at Lex/63 needs to be lengthened 15 feet.

Roosevelt Island would need to be lengthened 15 feet.

T2 and Queensbridge would need to be lengthened 45, but T1 would need to be lengthened 50 feet.

JC needs to be lengthened 30 feet for DA1 and 35 feet for DA2.

Sutphin, and Jamaica Van Wyck would need to be extended 45 feet.

I don't know the data for the BMT Culver Line.

I think that this would really help! But, this may help as much as it seems. There would be at a large amount of these stations and others no stairway at the immediate end of the platforms, which could mean overcrowding on the platforms.

 

In order to serve 11 cars, new sets would be ordered, and would mean a modified R211 order.

If CBTC is ready before the R46 are ready to be retired, they should be transferred to Coney Island for the R160s off of the N Q.

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I sure hope so!

Another project that could help reduce crowding is the lengthening of platforms. Most IND platforms were 660 feet, however some weren't 660 and there were some newer stations.

11 car trains would be great for the (E) and   (F)

A few local stations on queens blvd would need to be extended 60 feet, such as Elmhurst Av, 63 Drive, 67 Avenue, 

Seventh Avenue on the F would need to be lengthened 5 feet.

Same for Fort Hamilton Parkway.

Bdwy Lafayette. One platform needs to be lengthened 20 feet, and the other 5 feet.

Second Avenue needs to be lengthened 10 feet.

57 Street needs to be lengthened 45 feet.

The platform for the T1 track at Lex/63 needs to be lengthened 15 feet.

Roosevelt Island would need to be lengthened 15 feet.

T2 and Queensbridge would need to be lengthened 45, but T1 would need to be lengthened 50 feet.

JC needs to be lengthened 30 feet for DA1 and 35 feet for DA2.

Sutphin, and Jamaica Van Wyck would need to be extended 45 feet.

I don't know the data for the BMT Culver Line.

I think that this would really help! But, this may help as much as it seems. There would be at a large amount of these stations and others no stairway at the immediate end of the platforms, which could mean overcrowding on the platforms.

 

In order to serve 11 cars, new sets would be ordered, and would mean a modified R211 order.

If CBTC is ready before the R46 are ready to be retired, they should be transferred to Coney Island for the R160s off of the N Q.

Oh no you don't... <_< Keep those new trains right where they are.  The few times that I do use the (Q) I like the new cars.  It's bad enough dealing with those garbage R68 cars on the (B) and (D) .

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Oh no you don't... <_< Keep those new trains right where they are.  The few times that I do use the (Q) I like the new cars.  It's bad enough dealing with those garbage R68 cars on the (B) and (D) .

Except that having CBTC benefits far more passengers than having new trains, so it's not really for you to decide. The needs of the many outweigh the few, and addressing crowding issues is a far bigger issue than a bunch of old trains.

 

However, given the pace the (MTA) works at, it's not likely that that is a scenario that will be happening, so you can calm down.

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If you're going to extend the (E) platform at Jamaica Center, extend it in the direction of the interlocking please. :P

 

Also, maybe build a portal and recapture the LIRR line to Rosedale.

You give me some sort of idea.....

Since the BMT Culver line can't really support 11 car sets, maybe all stations on QBL (including the hillside and archer spurs), 53/63 Street, all of 8 Avenue, and 6 Avenue up to to 2 Avenue can get their platforms extended so 11 car sets can be used exclusively on the (E) train, even during reroutes.

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Except that having CBTC benefits far more passengers than having new trains, so it's not really for you to decide. The needs of the many outweigh the few, and addressing crowding issues is a far bigger issue than a bunch of old trains.

 

However, given the pace the (MTA) works at, it's not likely that that is a scenario that will be happening, so you can calm down.

Quiet ya Canuck... :lol:

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Juss gon' throw this out here....    If extended stations are to accommodate 11-car trains (660 ft), the station must be extended beyond that for safety (and other) reasons, therefore 670 to 680 stations feet would be a good guesstimate.

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Hmmm.... forgot about that test run.... perhaps it's possible to run them on the (E) and (F) . One thing for sure, like it was mentioned before, almost the entire B division would have to expand their platforms (the second time for BMT lines) . Something that could be looked at if the MTA wants to go there again. :D

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Oh no you don't... <_< Keep those new trains right where they are. The few times that I do use the (Q) I like the new cars. It's bad enough dealing with those garbage R68 cars on the (B) and (D) .

I agree keep the R160s on the (N) and (Q) and the R68/68As are not garbage they are good trains the can last up till the 2030s I just can't tolerate how slow they are sometimes the crew at coney island yard plans to supplement service with the R68/68As on the (N) and (Q) going further into the future.
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I agree keep the R160s on the (N) and (Q) and the R68/68As are not garbage they are good trains the can last up till the 2030s I just can't tolerate how slow they are sometimes the crew at coney island yard plans to supplement service with the R68/68As on the (N) and (Q) going further into the future.

lol... Yeah it's annoying when they move around so much. It's not about foaming with me.  I just put myself in the shoes of ordinary commuters and if you ask any of them, they prefer to have the new cars.

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lol... Yeah it's annoying when they move around so much. It's not about foaming with me. I just put myself in the shoes of ordinary commuters and if you ask any of them, they prefer to have the new cars.

Of course they do R160s are the most reliable cars we have today but I'm sure those commuters on the (N) and (Q) wouldn't mind catching a SMEE once in a while even though they are throwing the R68s all over the place these days
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Oh no you don't... <_< Keep those new trains right where they are.  The few times that I do use the (Q) I like the new cars.  It's bad enough dealing with those garbage R68 cars on the (B) and (D) .

It would allow CBTC to be ready earlier for QBL. 

50 R160A, 220 R160B-1, and 70 R160B-2 to F R. 340 R46 to N Q.

The R211s would then go to the Broadway Line.

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Of course they do R160s are the most reliable cars we have today but I'm sure those commuters on the (N) and (Q) wouldn't mind catching a SMEE once in a while even though they are throwing the R68s all over the place these days

The average commuter doesn't care about what type of subway car they get on.
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