New York City has a system of local and express trains. The local trains stop at every station. The express trains skip the minor four stations and stop at the major stations. They use the same platform. There are two separate rails for the local and express train.
This system is quite ingenious. A commuter can take the express train, which travel faster due to limited stops until it approaches the destination. The commuter alights from the express train and takes a local train for the last few stops.
This makes the system more efficient. Wonderful New York!
Planning and the free market
6 days ago
How would the express train overtake the normal train?
ReplyDeleteIt can be done for overhead stations, but underground ones?
hi nhyone,
ReplyDeleteThere are multiple rail lines running parallel underground. When the express train reaches its station, it turns and merges onto the normal rail line. Generally, the schedule of normal trains are more frequent than express trains.
Although it greatly improves customers' convenience, it is very costly to build such a complex rail system. Result: higher fare. Though I would like to see one in singapore too.
Imagine a through train service from Tampines -> City Hall -> Jurong East. Ideal.
Sorry, I was asking in Singapore's context.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier to add a bypass track at the station than a full line.
This can be done for overhead stations, but it is difficult to do for underground ones. (If you want to keep the cost low.)
But I got an idea while writing this comment: use the track in the other direction. This can be done by timing the trains properly.