By Joseph Morales

        The Eighth Avenue Line in the NYC Subway System has moved people along the Eighth Avenue corridor into Brooklyn since 1932 and was the first line in the IND(Independent Subway System). While this line has succeeded in moving millions through the busy areas of Manhattan, the signal system is over 80 years old, which constantly leads to signal issues that are a leading cause of service disruptions according to the MTA. The MTA plans to fix the issue by implementing CBTC or communications-based trains control to fix the aging signal system as part of a $508.3 million signal modernization project. In addition as part of the project the MTA plans to modernize the 30th and 42nd St mechanical interlocking with solid-state interlockings, replace mainline switches and build new signal facilities and equipment rooms. The MTA’s Construction and Development Company(C&D) will also coordinate millions of dollars in projects to be done at the same time as CBTC installation to minimize service disruptions due to construction.

Sign at 23rd St(C,E) station regarding the Signal Modernization Project on the Eighth Avenue Line.

         CBTC or communications-based train control is a signaling system that uses telecommunications between train and track equipment. This system is a more reliable and modern signaling system that will help reduce signal related delays that occur as a result of signal malfunctions, which are common on the line. CBTC also uses moving block signaling rather than the fixed block signaling used throughout most of the NYC subway system. With fixed-block signaling, the MTA doesn’t know the precise location or speed of a train, so trains must be kept at s safe distance to ensure they don’t collide. However, with the CBTC Moving Block System, wireless signaling will allow the MTA to know exactly where trains are as well as their speed, which will allow them to run trains closer together and increase service, reducing crowding on trains and making travel more convenient. CBTC is also easier to troubleshoot than fixed-block signaling should something go wrong, reducing the severity of any signal-related delays. CBTC has already been implemented on the Canarsie Line(L Train) and the Flushing Line(7 Train), and has experienced huge success, their on-time performance went from 68.1% in November 2018 to 90.5% in December 2019 after CBTC implementation according to MTA statistics. 

         The MTA is looking to install CBTC on the Eighth Avenue Line between 59th St-Columbus Cir in Manhattan and High St-Brooklyn Bridge. This type of gain would be great for the Eighth Avenue Line that travels throughout Manhattan and into Downtown Brooklyn, and the A, C , E trains that use large portions of if not the entire line and run deep into Brooklyn and Queens, so less delays on this line will also help riders traveling along these routes regardless of where they’re going. Unfortunately like for many other major projects they will have to alter weeknight and weekend service through 2024. . One service change is that the A train will either run local or C trains will run express between 59th St-Columbus Circle and Canal St. In addition, E trains will run express in either direction between 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal and Canal St. A and C trains may also travel along the F route in either direction between West 4th St-Wash Sq and Chambers St(World Trade Center). Hopefully the project is successful and these service changes are worth it.

         With other CBTC projects going on throughout the city such as on the Culver Line in Brooklyn and Queens Boulevard Line in Queens, CBTC can be a major part of modernizing and speeding up the NYC subway system for years to come.

Citations

“MTA moves forward with signal modernization of Eighth Avenue ACE lines.” Mass Transit, 14 January 2020, https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/railroad-signals-ptc-control-systems-and-products/press-release/21121203/mta-new-york-city-transit-mta-moves-forward-with-signal-modernization-of-eighth-avenue-ace-lines. Accessed 3 September 2022.

“Bringing CBTC to the 8 Av Line.” MTA, https://new.mta.info/projects/CBTC-on-8-Av. Accessed 3 September 2022.