Jump to content


Photo

NYCT - 'Sweeping Test' for New Lettered Line Countdown Clocks


  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 04 August 2016 - 05:34 PM

NY MTA News Release, 8/4:

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Testing Begins on New countdown clocks and digital screens for mta subways and buses
 
Testing Begins for New Countdown Clocks On Lettered Subway Lines

 

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the MTA will begin testing on countdown clocks for lettered-subway lines and digital screens for MTA buses. Later today, the MTA will begin its 90-day test of countdown clocks in eight subway stations along the N, Q and R lines, with the aim of installing the clocks in all 269 lettered-line stations. In addition, the MTA today awarded three contracts to perform a pilot program on 131 buses for the installation of digital information screens – to ultimately be installed on a total of 3,600 buses.

 

These vital investments advance Governor Cuomo’s plan to transform the MTA into an innovative, state-of-the-art system with improved customer service and first-class amenities, and are part of the $27 billion, five-year MTA Capital Program.

 

“These actions are the latest steps toward rebuilding and transforming the MTA into a unified, state-of-the-art transportation network that will meet the needs of current and future generations of New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “With this new and updated technology, we’ll help ensure riders have the information they need to get where they need to go.”

 

Testing for Countdown Clocks:

Testing will be performed at the 23rd Street; 28th Street; 34th Street; 42nd Street; 49th Street; 57th Street; 5th Avenue/59th Street; and Lexington Avenue/59th subway stops, and will include two countdown clocks with enhanced LCD screens. The LCD screens, which look much like computer screens, have the added capability of exhibiting public service announcements and other content – a step forward from the LED digital display screens currently in use. Countdown clocks currently serve 176 stations, including the L line’s 24 stations, and will ultimately be installed throughout all 269 lettered-line stations.

  • New Technology For Countdown Clocks: The new clocks rely on technology that is straightforward, cost effective to deploy, and does not require large infrastructure. The system uses the existing wireless network in the stations and cloud computing, and involves four Bluetooth receivers placed in each station, two at each end of the platform. These receivers communicate with four Bluetooth devices that have been installed in the first and last cars of each train set running on the line. As the train enters and leaves a station, the system uses its arrival and departure time to estimate the time at which the train will reach the next stop in the line, and display the arrival times on the two LCD display screens that have been installed at each station.
  • Proof of Concept Phase For Countdown Clocks: During the 90-day test of the clocks, the MTA will work to identify and correct any issues with the new system. The goal is to evaluate the accuracy of location data, performance of Transit Wireless infrastructure, performance of the LCD displays, physical and network security of Bluetooth devices, security of data being transmitted, and internal access and use of data being generated.

MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast said, “Governor Cuomo challenged the MTA to develop an aggressive approach to putting countdown clocks on the lettered lines, and our technology team’s response has been phenomenal. In very short order they developed an easy to deploy, cost-effective system that we think will play a central role in bringing this essential service to more and more of our customers. We look forward to learning from this test, as well as to developing a roll out plan based on our findings.”

 

Digital Information Screens Pilot Program:

MTA today awarded three contracts for a new pilot program to install digital information screens on 131 buses, with the aim of extending to 3,600 buses, as part of Governor Cuomo’s plan to fully transform, renew and expand the MTA network.

 

The digital screens will offer audio and visual route information and display next stop information, service advisories and travel information, including transfers. They will also have the capability to display geo-specific advertising, enabling the potential opening up of a new avenue of advertising revenue for the MTA. The contracts total $1.6 million to three vendors for the installation and maintenance of digital information screens on three routes:

  • The M15 SBS, a Manhattan route that goes from East Harlem to South Ferry
  • The B46 SBS, a Brooklyn route that travels from Williamsburg Bridge Plaza to Kings Plaza Shopping Center.
  • The S79 SBS, which goes from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to the Staten Island Mall.

Under these contracts, 131 buses will be retrofitted with these screens for the pilot, which will test and evaluate the designs and technology for use on NYC Transit’s fleet of diesel, hybrid and articulated buses. The MTA is in the process of identifying a fourth vendor for the pilot. Each bus will be retrofitted with vibration-proof digital screen technology that can simultaneously control two to three digital screens on the bus, depending on its size (standard 40 foot buses will each have two screens, while articulated buses will have 3 screens). Each system includes a video processing unit and a content management system to allow remote programming.

 

Beginning in 2017, new buses delivered to the MTA will also come with digital information screens. Over the next five years, more than 2,000 of these state-of-the-art buses will replace nearly half of the MTA’s current bus fleet, and the existing fleet will be retrofitted with digital screen technology. The pilot for digital screens on buses is part of a larger $2 billion investment in its bus system, including $1.3 billion on the new fleet for local and express service.

 

Elements of the broader enhancement program that were previously announced include:

  • The introduction of 2,042 state-of-the-art new buses with WiFi and charging ports to the MTA fleet over the next five years.
  • Pilot programs for new technologies aimed at improving customer and passenger safety, including a pedestrian warning system, will be installed on 200 buses, and a new collision avoidance technology system will be installed on 145 buses. After the successful completion of this test, the technologies will be installed on 1,600 buses starting in mid-2018.
  • The relaunch of the Q70 Limited bus service as “LaGuardia Link” with a distinctive new look designed to help customers and tourists quickly find their way between LaGuardia Airport and two regional transit hubs in Queens that connect to five subway lines, Long Island Rail Road and seven bus lines. The route, nicknamed the “LaGuardia Link,” will also become a Select Bus Service which employs convenient off-board fare technology that allows customers to pre-pay their fare and enter and exit through any bus door, eliminating the need to wait to pay at a single fare box, and decreasing dwell time at stops. The LaGuardia Link will also continue to offer travelers convenient luggage storage racks.

 



#2 KevinKorell

KevinKorell

    Board Leader

  • Sr. Admin
  • PipPip
  • 82319 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Lakewood, NJ
  • Interests:Making America TRAIN again!

Posted 15 November 2016 - 11:24 AM

Second Avenue Sagas, 11/14/16:


 

B division countdown clocks set to arrive in 2018

 

No more promises of “three to five years.” After over half a decade of promises, the MTA Board is set to vote Wednesday on a plan that would finally bring countdown clocks to the B Division trains — the subway’s lettered lines — by the end of March of 2018. Based off the current pilot running at eight stations along the BMT Broadway line, the new system will be run by Transit Wireless infrastructure and will be a part of an initiative to bring wifi to the system’s outdoor stations. It’s not based on the same signal system upgrades as the A Division countdown clocks but should cost under $32 million to install.

Continue



Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ


#3 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 01 September 2017 - 04:35 PM

NYCT news release 8/31/17:

 
Countdown Clocks Now Providing Real-Time Train Arrival Information to Customers on the E and G Lines
 
Latest Beacon Technology is Part of MTA Subway Action Plan to Improve Customer Communication
 

 

Countdown clocks at all stations on the e.png and g.png lines are now live, thanks to MTA New York City Transit’s use of beacon technology as a new, innovative way to bring real time train arrival information to customers at stations that still lack countdown clocks.  Countdown clocks will be installed at all lettered line stations by the end of 2017.   

 

This accelerated effort to bring real time train arrival information to the rest of the system is part the MTA’s Subway Action Plan to stabilize and improve the system and lay the foundation for modernizing the New York City Subway. A key component of the Action Plan calls for improved customer communications and providing train arrival information system-wide allows customers to be kept fully informed of regular service, delays or emergency situations, should they arise. 

 

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said, “The days when customers on our lettered lines are forced to peer down a subway platform looking for headlights will soon be over.  Bringing real-time train arrival information to all stations is part of our aggressive and immediate efforts to improve the customer experience through increased reliability and capacity, enhanced stations and safety, and clear and accurate communication.”  

 

MTA Managing Director Veronique Hakim said, “Beacon technology does not involve invasive modifications to station infrastructure and can be deployed at a fraction of the costs associated with the countdown clocks already in the system.  More importantly, it’s part of an Action Plan that puts our customers first.”  

 

The beacon technology has already been deployed on the c.png and r.png lines and involves placing four low-energy Bluetooth beacons on each train set and two receivers on each platform. LCD display screens at each station provide customers with real time train arrival information.  

 

The addition of countdown clocks to the e.png and g.png lines brings the total number of stations with countdown clocks to 296.  This includes 156 stations on the numbered lines and 24 l.png stations with countdown clocks, connected to the line’s Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signal system.  The 7.png line will also get countdown clocks after the installation of CBTC is completed later this year.

 

 



#4 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 03 September 2017 - 08:13 PM

Progressive Railroading, 9/1/17:

 

NYCT installs arrival clocks on E, G subway stations

 

090117-NYCT-G-Line-train.jpg

The agency aims to install countdown clocks at all lettered line stations by 2017's end.
Photo – NYCT

 

 

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) has installed countdown clocks at all stations on the E and G rail lines to provide real-time arrival information.

The agency is using so-called "beacon technology" to power the clocks. The technology involves putting four low-energy Bluetooth beacons on each trainset and two receivers on each platform. LCD display screens at the stations then use that technology to provide real-time arrival information, NYCT officials said in a press release.

"Beacon technology does not involve invasive modifications to station infrastructure and can be deployed at a fraction of the costs associated with the countdown clocks already in the system," said Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Managing Director Veronique Hakim.

 

Continue here.



#5 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 07 September 2017 - 06:17 PM

New York Daily News, 9/5/17:
 

As MTA installs real-time arrival clocks on subway’s lettered lines, riders see countdown to frustration

 

 

 

Countdown clocks are finally arriving at more subway stations — but frustrated riders say they’re counting to 10.

 

The screens that helpfully tell straphangers when the next train will arrive have been springing up in inconvenient places, deep in the middle of platforms or obstructed by jumbles of equipment and signs, leaving riders exasperated.

 

 

Continue here.



#6 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 28 September 2017 - 08:09 PM

NYCT news release, 9/27/17:

 

Countdown Clocks Providing Real-Time Train Arrival Information to Customers to Go Live on the M and W Lines

 

Latest Beacon Technology is Part of MTA Line   Action Plan to Improve Customer Communication

 

 

Countdown clocks at all stations on the M Line   and W Line   lines will go live starting Friday, September 29. MTA New York City Transit’s use of beacon technology is a new, innovative way to bring real time train arrival information to customers at stations that still lack countdown clocks. With the addition of the M Line   and W Line   lines, there will be countdown clocks at 326 stations of the system’s 472 stations. Countdown clocks will be installed at all lettered line stations by the end of this year.

 

This accelerated effort to bring real time train arrival information to the rest of the system is part the MTA’s Line   Action Plan to stabilize and improve the system and lay the foundation for modernizing the New York City Line  . A key component of the Action Plan calls for improved customer communications and providing train arrival information system-wide allows customers to be kept fully informed of regular service, delays or emergency situations, should they arise.

 

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said, “We continue to make great progress to bring real-time train arrival information to all stations. It is a vital part of our aggressive and immediate efforts to improve the customer experience through increased reliability and capacity, enhanced stations and safety, and clear and accurate communication.” MTA Managing Director Ronnie Hakim said, “Beacon technology and our Line   Action Plan puts our customers first by expediting improvements in the system that improve how we provide information to our customers and overall reliability.”

 

The stations with added countdown clocks are:

Queensboro Plaza N Line  W Line 

39 Av N Line  W Line 

36 Av N Line  W Line 

Broadway N Line  W Line 

30 Ave N Line  W Line 

Astoria Blvd. N Line  W Line 

Astoria-Ditmars Blvd N Line  W Line 

47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center B Line  D Line  F Line  M Line 

42 St B Line  D Line  F Line  M Line 

34 St B Line  D Line  F Line  M Line 

23 St F Line  M Line 

14 St F Line  M Line 

B’way-Lafayette St B Line  D Line  F Line  M Line 

Essex St J Line  M Line  Z Line 

Marcy Av J Line  M Line  Z Line 

Hewes St J Line  M Line 

Lorimer St J Line  M Line 

Flushing Av J Line  M Line 

Myrtle Av J Line  M Line  Z Line 

Kosciusko St J Line  M Line  Z Line   (M Line   service rerouted due to Myrtle Viaduct Reconstruction)

Gates Av J Line  M Line  Z Line   (M Line   service rerouted due to Myrtle Viaduct Reconstruction)

Halsey St J Line  M Line  Z Line   (M Line   service rerouted due to Myrtle Viaduct Reconstruction)

Chauncey St (M Line   service rerouted due to Myrtle Viaduct Reconstruction)

Broadway Junction (M Line   service rerouted due to Myrtle Viaduct Reconstruction)

Myrtle-Wyckoff Avs M Line 

Seneca Av M Line 

Forest Av M Line 

Fresh Pond Rd M Line 

Middle Village-Metropolitan Av M Line 

 

The beacon technology has already been deployed on the C Line  E Line  G Line   and R Line   lines and involves placing 4 low energy Bluetooth beacons on each train set and two receivers on each platform. LCD display screens at each station provide customers with real time train arrival information. Stations with countdown clocks also show real-time arrival information for connecting lines as well.

 

The 326 stations with countdown clocks includes 156 stations on the numbered lines and 24 L Line   line stations with countdown clocks, connected to the line’s Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signal system. The 7 Line   line will also get countdown clocks after the installation of CBTC is completed later this year.

 



#7 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 10 December 2017 - 07:23 AM

amNewYork, 12/7/17:
 

MTA to test subway countdown clocks for inaccuracies after rider complaints

 

 

Before the MTA has completed the installation of its new subway countdown clocks, the system’s accuracy is already being called into question.

 

The agency will conduct a sweeping test of its new clocks on lettered subway lines after fielding enough rider feedback that the LCD screens — a key to the MTA’s modernization plans — occasionally display wrong train arrival times. The spot checks will take place as the MTA works to bring the feature to the remaining few dozen subway stations.

 

Continue here.






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users