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CBTC: Communications-Based Train Control
About this video
An MTA video on communications-based train control, the system meant to replace the New York City subway's century-old signaling. It also shows the mechanical interlocks and signals in use today.
Why it appears in the archive
Cited as a view into how outdated and error-prone NYC subway signaling is, and how antique interlocking systems work.
AI-generated summary and labels from the source dataset; verify important details against the video. Source & credits.
From the Hacker News discussion
There was this great video last year, illustrating how outdated and error prone the signalling technology in the NY subway is: [VIDEO]
Read original comment ↗"They even put out a video that gleefully shows off the worst stuff. Look at how broken it is! Look at how old!" [VIDEO] Well made video that helps understand the interlocks - if you like antique systems!
Read original comment ↗There is this[1] video from the MTA that goes into the signaling system, which is extremely old and in the process of getting updated in certain sections. [1] [VIDEO]
Read original comment ↗Yes - at some of the stations the people directing the trains only know when it has left a station, and when it gets to the next one. Some of it is still controlled with vacuum tubes and switchboards. The person featured in this video ruffled quite a few feathers when it was released: [VIDEO]
Read original comment ↗Not all of the NYC subway has ATS. The current signals being replaced by CBTC date from the 1930s, and are mechanically operated. They are literally historical relics. [VIDEO]
Read original comment ↗A similarly embarrassing state of affairs is the train traffic control system used by the NYC subway system: [VIDEO]
Read original comment ↗