New York

Railway Age, March, 2005

The first application of communication-based train control in revenue service on the New York subway will occur this spring on the L Canarsie Line, which connects Manhattan with the outer reaches of Brooklyn. The system is scheduled to be introduced on one segment of the route in April, although the train operator will continue to be in full control.

Three additional segments will be phased in and, by July, automated (but not driverless) operation is expected to begin along the entire 10-mile line, The 24-station line was selected for the first full-scale conversion to CBTC because it doesn't share track with other routes and its antiquated signal system was due for replacement, It also has been equipped with a new fleet of R-143 cars from Kawasaki that were equipped with onboard CBTC equipment, In 1999, the $288 million project was awarded to a consortium headed by Siemens Transportation Systems, Passenger service was delayed for several months while last-minute safety issues were addressed.