Question about 2/5 track restrictions at Flatbush Ave, and another question

[BrooklynIRT]

Suppose MTA made it so that the were no longer restricted to the east track and the were no longer restricted to the west track at Flatbush Ave. Also suppose that the minimum scheduled turnaround time for any train is 3 minutes (if this is legal/feasible). Would the capacity of the terminal increase? If so, how many additional TPH would it be able to handle?

 

This would also render the route selector at Newkirk Ave obsolete. Would they save any money if the route selector there were decommissioned since it would be one less component that requires scheduled maintenance? Do they save money in general whenever route selectors are decommissioned?

 

Also is a route selector ever needed at a terminal, for the operators of the departing trains? If so, what necessitates a route selector at a terminal?

[Roadcruiser1]

This topic has been discussed plenty of times, but I like the discussion of this problem since it has taken place several times. So far it doesn't seem possible to do so, but I will let the other members answer that in farther detail. Here is the track map in the location I believe you are talking about, and what it looks like currently.

 

[Grand Concourse]

I think the tracks are set up the way they are for the convenience of the crews, so they don't have to go all the way around the platform to get to their respective rooms.

Now had they built a cross under around the middle of the platform and demolished the connecting platform and the mezzanine near Av H, they could allow the trains to run at normal speed and they can have either train use either track. Thus the 2/5 can be sped up.

[BrooklynIRT]

I know it is a convenience thing and that makes sense. Although it is more for the purpose of convenience when coming back from break or just reporting to work to take the train into service, rather than convenience when getting off the train and going on break or clearing from work. When crews arrive at the terminals in their trains, they do not have to go to the crew rooms. They can and do go anywhere until they have to take their next train out. If they are clearing from work I think they have to go to the crew room to turn in their time sheets or whatever. Not sure what the procedure is in RTO. In DOB a bus operator is given a trip sheet upon reporting for work and turns in his/her completed trip sheet at his/her depot upon clearing from work.

 

Either way it is more important when taking the train into service since they have to adhere to tight schedules. Not being on the same platform as the crew room for the crews from your line when you arrive at the terminal is not the end of the world, at least not to my knowledge. It is inconvenient if you want your crew room, but it is not a substantial reason why trains from each line are restricted to each pocket track. Again, not to my knowledge is it a substantial reason.

 

I am asking whether the capacity would increase if any train could use any track, assuming they leave the platform bridge and exit at the south end of the station just the way they are, and assuming the trains enter with the same speed as they do now. If moving the diamond switch further north in the tunnel would increase the speed of the trains significantly enough to increase the capacity of the terminal, then I wish to know whether this in conjunction with allowing any train to use any track would increase the capacity of the Flatbush Ave terminal and how many additional trains the terminal could handle.

 

Two scenarios: ( 1 ) Any train can use any track and nothing else is done to speed up the trains, or ( 2 ) any train can use any track and the diamond switch is moved further north in the tunnel, speeding up the trains significantly enough to increase the capacity of the terminal (if it does increase the capacity of the terminal).

 

For just those two scenarios I wish to know how many additional trains the terminal could handle, if any.

 

Also does anybody know if water table issues have anything to do with the lack of a cross-under at Flatbush Ave?