The number of people trespassing on subway tracks has ticked up for the past three years. And its deadly, with 68 people killed last year. This week the MTA put out a report outlining how it plans to prevent track intrusions.
The report finds in most cases people are choosing to go on to the tracks—these aren’t accidents. Most incidents delay trains for an average of 30 minutes, and occur in Manhattan.
The MTA is currently testing infrared cameras on the front of trains that can detect whether a person is on the tracks.
It will also pilot artificial intelligence technology that monitors CCTV cameras and sends out alerts if there is any so-called dangerous behavior that could lead to track intrusions.
Finally, it’s moving forward with installing platform screen doors at three stations and aims to have them in place by 2025.